Alleged N2.9b Fraud: Court discharges embattled Imo West Senator

adminFebruary 9, 20233 min

The Court held that the failure of the EFCC to comply with the directive of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) that it submits the case file in the matter involving Okorocha and others for review, rendered the criminal proceeding it initiated against them a nullity

 

 

Imo

 

 

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has discharged the lawmaker representing Imo West Senatorial District, Senator Rochas Okorocha and six others, over a charge of fraud amounting to N2.9 billion instituted against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in his ruling, upheld the objection raised by the former Imo State Governor and six other defendants against the propriety of the charge. He also indicated that the EFCC acted unlawfully when it ignored the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) directive and initiated the criminal proceeding against Okorocha and others.

 

READ ALSO: EFCC slams Okorocha with N2.9b fraud charge

 

The Court held that the EFCC, like every other law enforcement/prosecuting agency, was under the obligation to defer to the directive of the AGF in deciding whether or not to prosecute an alleged offender. Thus, it held that the failure of the EFCC to comply with the directive of the AGF that it should submit the case file in the matter involving Okorocha and others for review, rendered the criminal proceeding it initiated against them a nullity.

Justice Ekwo thereafter voided the proceeding and discharged the defendants – Okorocha, Nyerere Chinyere, Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited and Legend World Concepts Limited.

He averred that the directive of the AGF, in a letter dated: September 12, 2022, to the EFCC to forward the case file, as well as the EFCC’s comments on the issues for consideration and review, were binding on the Commission.

 

READ ALSO: 2022 Review: Major scandals involving National Assembly members

 

“All that the law required of the respondent (EFCC) was for the respondent when directed by the HAGF, pursuant to any enactment, is to comply and not act as if it was not under the law or is exempted thereby.

For the avoidance of doubt, the office of the HAGF is founded on the provisions of the constitution and is thereby preserved. The controversies and drama surrounding this trial proceeding are needless and it is time to stop such,” Justice Ekwo said.

Senator Okorocha was governor of Imo State between 2011 and 2019.

READ ALSO: Okorocha, Rep Obi sponsored 15 bills or more in Imo National Assembly Scorecard

 

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