Oshiomhole may face trial for alleged corruption

An Abuja Federal High Court on Tuesday ordered that the former governor of Edo State and All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole be served with an application over his alleged corruption.
An anti-corruption crusader, Bishop Osadolor Ochei, filed the application against Oshiomhole. He prayed an order of mandamus compelling the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest and commence criminal proceedings against Oshiomhole over allegations of financial fraud.

The presiding judge, Justice Anwuli Chikere, also ordered that the anti-graft agency be also served with the court process. He stressed that the service should be done within five days from October 9, 2018, when the order was made.

Dr. West-Idahosa, counsel to Bishop Ochei, in arguing a motion ex-parte filed in Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/628/ 2018 asked the Court to allow Oshiomhole and the EFCC, who are the respondents in the suit to file a reply to the heavy allegations leveled against them by the Applicant in support of the Federal Government’s anti-corruption fight.

The exparte motion followed Bishop Ochei’s petition to the EFCC on October 28, 2016, ‎against Oshiomhole, who was governor of Edo State from November 2008 to November 11, 2016.

In praying the court to grant the request of his client, Idahosa referred the court to 86 exhibits filed in support of the application and added that there are documents and electronic pictures of palatial houses of the former governor, whose earnings all his life cannot acquire and that, there are evidence on how Oshiomhole allegedly diverted money for Edo State project to personal projects.

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He went further to tell the court that there are vouchers of exorbitant airfares that the former governor incurred, emphasising that the amount of the airfares are enough to buy air carrier for Edo State people.

Ochei’s counsel also said that there are receipts of how the ex-governor used huge amount of money of the state to repair his private vehicles.

He then prayed the court to grant the relief of his client, saying that EFCC has arrested and prosecuted lesser crimes and there is no reason why the anti-graft agency should ignore the petition.

The matter was adjourned by Justice Chikere till October 23, 2018 for arguments from all the parties in the matter.

 

 

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