Court stops EFCC’s investigation into ex-Gov Dickson’s assets

Justice Isah H. Dashien of the Federal High Court, Yenagoa, on Wednesday restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from conducting further investigation into the alleged undeclared assets of the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson..

The judge, who gave the order while ruling on a suit filed by Dickson, declared that the assets acquired with loans when the former governor was a member of the House of Representatives cannot be investigated.

The ex-governor had declared the assets at the Code of Conduct Bureau which issued a certificate of verification for them.

The EFCC invited Dickson for questioning over alleged corruption, including non-declaration of assets and misapplication of intervention funds in August.

READ ALSO: EFCC quizzes ex-Bayelsa governor, Dickson for alleged misappropriation of funds, others

Consequently, the Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District approached the court on November 15 to stop the commission from going ahead with the investigation of assets.

Justice Dashien granted all the reliefs sought by the ex-governor.

He said: “That the Registered Trustees of the Seriake Dickson Incorporated and Senator Seriake Dickson, respectively as first and second plaintiff, declared that the EFCC cannot lawfully arrest, investigate and/or prosecute the former governor who declared the assets in question and for which the verifying authorities, the CCB issued certificates of verification before he became governor.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now