NEWS
Ex-Anambra Governor Faces Trial Over Alleged N4bn Fraud
In a significant legal development, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has ruled against former Governor Willie Obiano’s attempt to challenge the EFCC’s jurisdiction in prosecuting him.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, presiding over the case, delivered the verdict on Thursday, deeming Obiano’s application lacking in merit and deserving of dismissal.
This decision comes after thorough consideration, with the judge rejecting all grounds presented by Obiano’s legal team.
The judge emphasized that determining the former governor’s connection to the alleged offenses would require proper legal proceedings.
Specifically, Justice Inyang Ekwo highlighted that the pivotal issue revolved around whether the state’s security votes originated from the federation account, thus affirming the validity of the prosecution’s case.
The judge said “As long as the EFCC Act has not been declared unconstitutional, this court cannot stop the implementation of the act. The powers of the EFCC ought to be a question of law and has bearing in the 1999 Constitution.
“State security votes come from the federation account making the development a constitutional issue..This court has no powers to preempt the case of the prosecution, ”
Subsequent to the ruling, Mr. Obiano’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, made a plea for the release of his client’s international passport to facilitate medical treatment abroad.
Ikpeazu cited the defendant’s health condition and the necessity of sixty days for his treatment, assuring compliance with any conditions set by the court.
In a conciliatory stance, counsel to the EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, stated the prosecution’s lack of opposition to the application. However, Tahir expressed reservations regarding the 60 days treatment duration.
Mr Tahir said, “We are not opposed to the application but we have issues with the 60 days because the trial has been truncated already.”
The judge was inclined to grant the application, with the condition that the former governor return his international passport to the court’s registrar upon his return.
Furthermore, he adjourned the proceedings until June 24th to 27th, indicating the commencement of the trial.
Mr. Obiano, who was arraigned on January 24th, is facing trial on a nine-count charge amounting to alleged N4 billion fraud.
Previously, he filed an application challenging the EFCC’s jurisdiction to prosecute him, seeking to dismiss the charges, alleging them to be an abuse of court process and asserting the absence of a prima facie case against him.
Mr. Obiano asserted that there was no correlation between the evidence presented by the EFCC to the court and the accusations against him. He contended that no witness testified to him issuing directives for the disbursement of security votes and other government funds in Anambra State.
Furthermore, Mr. Obiano argued that he couldn’t be held responsible for any alleged unlawful actions by Anambra government officials, citing the absence of vicarious liability in the criminal justice system.
His motion on notice was based on legal provisions including sections 6 (6) (a) and (b), section 36(6) (6) b of the 1999 Constitution as amended, and section 1(1) & (2), 266, 271(b), 383(4) & 492 (3) of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act 2015.
Among other requests, Mr. Obiano sought an order from the court to dismiss the current charge, arguing that it constitutes a flagrant abuse of the judicial process and undermines the integrity of the criminal justice system.
Additionally, he requested an order to quash the charge due to the alleged failure to disclose a prima facie case, asserting that the nine-count charges lacked specificity and precision.
A tragic building collapse in Rivers State has left a middle-aged contractor, identified as Udeme, feared dead after a two-storey structure under construction caved in at the Egbelu Mgbaraja area of Ogbogoro Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
This incident comes just one week after a three-storey building collapsed at the Iriebe axis of the same local government, though that incident fortunately recorded no casualties.
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The latest collapse occurred on Monday, November 4, 2024, around 2 p.m., with construction workers on site when the structure gave way.
According to eyewitness Mr. Jonathan Obey, the building’s second floor suddenly buckled, trapping Udeme beneath the rubble, while another worker managed to escape with serious injuries.
Obey, who attempted to rescue the trapped contractor, suspected negligence, saying, “We couldn’t reach him despite our efforts. An inspection revealed substandard materials had been used, with the foundation only three feet deep for a two-storey building, which is insufficient. The rebar was of poor quality, and essential supports, such as a center beam, were absent.”
The Rivers State Government has since sealed off the property and declared the developer, Vincent Nwoye, wanted for questioning.
Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, visited the site and expressed his dismay, attributing the collapse to gross negligence.
“This tragedy was preventable,” Bipi stated. “The developer failed to obtain an approved building plan and used inferior materials. The government will ensure accountability and take severe action.”
Bipi extended his condolences to the victim’s family and the Ogbogoro Community, affirming that the government will facilitate the family’s recovery of their loved one’s remains. “We sympathize with the bereaved family and the entire community,” he added.
The Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Samuel Anya, also condemned the developer’s actions, highlighting the dangers posed when profit is prioritized over safety. “This loss is a direct consequence of unethical practices,” he said.
The government has committed to a thorough investigation and tighter regulatory enforcement to prevent further tragedies in Rivers State.
The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Hon Justice Oyewole Adeyeye has passed on.
The news of his passing was leaked by a reliable source under the condition of anonymity.
The sad incident, according to the source, happened in Ado Ekiti in the early hours of Tuesday.
His death is being traced to a sickness which came upon him following the injury he sustained when a section of the Ekiti State High Court Complex, Ado Ekiti wall collapsed in July 12, 2023.
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The late Justice Adeyeye was at the office when the building collapse happened and sustained injuries.
While the state and his family were yet to issue statements on his demise, the Ekiti State Chapter of the Association of International Female Lawyers (FIDA) has sent condolences to the family.
The condolences message read: “With deep sorrow in our hearts and in total submission to the will of God, FIDA Ekiti consoles with the family of the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Hon Justice Oyewole Adeyeye on his call to glory.
“May He find rest with his maker.
“I pray that God grants the family, the Judiciary and the people of Ekiti State, the grace to bear this irreparable loss.
Adieu great one.”
Justice Adeyeye was born 1960 in Araromi Ugbesi in Ekiti East Local Government of Ekiti State and was called to bar in 1986.
He started his career as a State Counsel in the civil service of the then Ondo State before joining the Ekiti State Judiciary Service Commission shortly after the state was created in 1996.
He was promoted to the position of a judge in the state’s high court in 2002 and has served at different occasions in the election petition tribunal.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed all charges against 76 individuals accused of participating in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.
The ruling came after the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, moved to discontinue the case under orders from President Bola Tinubu.
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Justice Obiora Egwuatu, presiding over the matter, struck out the charges after hearing a motion from the AGF’s representative, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) Mohammed Abubakar.
Citing Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, the AGF formally took over the case from the Inspector General of Police, then requested to drop all charges against the defendants, many of whom are minors.
The judge granted the AGF’s application without objection from defense counsel, ordering the immediate release of the accused, who were not present in court.
This decision follows a directive issued on Monday by President Tinubu, instructing the AGF to withdraw charges against the protesters.
More to follow……….
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