23 INEC staff accused of taking N340m bribe from Gov Wike refuse to be tried in Abuja

Defiantly, the 23 officials of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who allegedly received N360million bribe from Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State during the December 10, 2016 rerun election in the state, refused to allow the Federal Government try them in Abuja.

The accused on Tuesday, declined to enter their pleas to charges levelled against them by the Federal Government, contending that it was improper for them to be tried in Abuja for a crime allegedly committed in Rivers State.

A seven-count charge is preferred against them by the Federal Government, but they questioned the territorial jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Abuja to hear those charges.

Among other charges, the Federal Government alleged that the N360million was proceeds of Governor Wike’s criminal conduct, which according to the prosecution counsel amounts to economic and financial crime.

It also said that the INEC officials between December 7 and 10, 2016, allegedly converted, concealed and took possession of the sum of N360million bribe, in violation of various provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 and the Economic and Financial Crimes (Establishment, etc) Act, 2004.

The names of the accused charged before the court include Balogun Funmilayo, Adams Kadiri, Akinwande Adesoji, Lukeman Olabimpe, Tiamiyu Arowolo, Akinwoye Amodu, Nwoha Yusuf, Patrick Anuke, Iro Abali, Nwosu Oluchi and Arukwe Chinelo.

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The rest are Shittu Lamido (Shettima), Henry Owokure, Peter Ewatade, Mrs. Mary Jummai, Tunkoyo Pennap, Gwatana Jibril, Ivase Stephen, Abdullahi Ogabo, Gayus Hassan, Hussaina Yahaya, James Ogwuche, Karimu Aminu and Adedokun Najeem Ayotunde

When the case being presided over by Justice John Tsoho, was called up on Tuesday, the accused insisted they were not going to be tried in Abuja and refused to enter their plea to the charge.

The matter was however adjourned till April 7, for hearing of the defendants’ opposition to their planned trial in Abuja, after the prosecution counsel, Mr. A.K Aliyu, asked for an adjournment for him to be able to react to the motion.

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