Court Compels EFCC To Investigate APC Chair Oshiomhole
Indications emerged on Tuesday that the allegations against former Edo state governor, Adams Oshiohole, will not be swept under the carpet as a Federal High Court sitting at Abuja and presided over by Hon. Justice A.I. Chikere, ordered Bishop Osadolor Ochei to serve the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest and investigate Oshiomhole upon allegations of corruption within 5 days from October 9, 2018.
Bishop Ochei’s lawyer, Dr. West-Idahosa, while arguing a motion ex-parte filed in suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/628/ 2018 urged the court to allow the respondents file a reply to the weighty allegations made against them by the applicant in support of the Federal Government’s fight against corruption.
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He referred the court to 86 exhibits filed by the applicant in support of his application. He also relied on several Orders of the Federal High Rules, Sections 15 & 24 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
The case has been adjourned to 23rd October, 2018 for arguments from all the parties.
Ochei had approached the Federal High Court in June this year for an order of mandamus compelling the EFCC to commence criminal proceedings against Oshiomhole, who is the national chairman of the APC, on alleged corruption.
Bishop’s petition to the EFCC, dated October 28, 2016 against Oshiomhole, who was governor of Edo state from November 2008 to November 11, 2016.
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The applicant in the motion wants the court to declare that the anti-graft agency has the statutory duty to investigate and prosecute the former governor, upon his allegations against him in line with the Act establishing the commission.
In an affidavit deposed personally by the applicant, he averred that, in view of the fact that corruption has become a societal ill which has eaten deep into the fabric of the society, there is the need for the EFCC to take complaints against corrupt practices serious.
He said he has severally complained to the EFCC about allegation of corrupt practices against Oshiomhole without eliciting any response or interest by the commission. According to him, “On May 4, 2012, one Matthew Edaghese sent a petition to the EFCC, complaining that while serving as governor, Oshiomhole built mansions on a huge expanse of land worth more than N10 billion, in excess of the former governor’s legitimate means of income as governor.
“That EFCC did nothing about the petition”, Bishop Ochei stated and added that he had, in 2016 filed a petition against Oshiomhole’s corrupt practices without any action by the EFCC.
He accused the former governor of corruptly enriching himself with the fund of the Edo state government.
