A Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, Wednesday, resolved to determine whether or not it would order the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to investigate and prosecute the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Adams Oshiomhole, on allegations of official corruption.
It has fixed May 13 for the determination. Oshiomhole is a former two-term governor of Edo State.
The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/628/2018, was filed before the court by an Edo State-based cleric and activist, Bishop Osadolor Ochei, praying the court to declare that the EFCC has a statutory duty to investigate different petitions that contained allegations of financial recklessness stacked against Oshiomhole.
In the petition, Oshiomhole was accused of mismanagement and misappropriation of the Edo state fund that culminated in procuring choice properties including mansions substantially expensive above his legitimate income as Governor of the State spanning from November 12, 2008 to November 12, 2016.
Ochie, it was would be recalled, filed the legal action last week against the anti-graft commission, asking the court to compel it to investigate corruption allegations made in his petition against the APC national chairman.
His action followed alleged inaction by the EFCC over the petition against Oshiomhole even when the anti-graft agency was said to have been served with a reminder.
But Oshiomhole filed a notice of preliminary objection before the court, through his lawyer, Damian Dodo SAN, contending that the plaintiff lacked the locus standi to bring the legal action and asked the court to strike out the plaintiff’s prayer for being premature and incompetent.
However, after considering the exchange of legal fireworks from both the plaintiff and defendant counsels, presiding Justice Anwuli Chikere scheduled May 13, to rule on the application.
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