Confusion over EFCC’s appeal against Odili’s perpetual injunction 15 other former govs on trial over N143bn

There is confusion over the appeal by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to vacate the perpetual injunction granted by a High Court against the investigation of former governor of Rivers State Peter Odili.

Justice Ibrahim Buba had in 2007 granted the injunction which shielded Odili and his administration from any investigation by EFCC, which accused the former governor of embezzling about N100bn.

EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren confirmed to Daily Trust that the anti-graft agency has appealed the High Court ruling. An EFCC prosecutor, Johnson Ojogbene had earlier said the appeal was at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division.

Attempt by Daily Trust to confirm the status of the case at the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, proved abortive as the Deputy Registrar declined comment on the matter.

A source in the appellate court said nobody in the office has powers to comment on it, but referred our reporter to the President of the Court of Appeal.

When Daily Trust visited the office of President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, the Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Sa’adatu Musa, said the PCA cannot comment on any matter pending in court.

At the Supreme Court in Abuja, Daily Trust could not trace any appeal concerning the Odilli case. This is even as source insisted that Odili had filed a motion at the apex court three years ago.

Aside Odili, 15 other former state governors are standing trial for allegedly defrauding their states of over N143.263bn.

Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia)

A former governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu, was last year re-arraigned by the EFCC on a 34-count charge of laundering N3.2bn from the state’s treasury while in power. His case was transferred from the Abuja to the Federal High Court in Lagos were he pleaded not guilty.

The trial stalled last week due to failure of the prosecution to serve the statement of one of its witnesses on the defence.

Rashid Ladoja (Oyo)

The EFCC also re-arraigned former Oyo State governor Rashidi Ladoja over N4.7bn fraud.

At the resumed hearing earlier this year, an EFCC witness, Adewale Atanda, told a Federal High Court, Lagos, how Ladoja bought 22 vehicles to win the loyalty of 22 assembly men to escape impeachment but was still impeached in December 2005.

Christopher Alao-Akala (Oyo)

The trial of another former Oyo state governor, Christopher AlaoAkala, was adjourned indefinitely over a pending appeal at the appellate court. The EFCC accused Alao-Akala alongside two others of conspiracy and misappropriation of N11.5bn.

Gbenga Daniel (Ogun)

The EFCC on October 12, 2011 arraigned former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel on a 43-count charge of allegedly stealing and mismanaging about N7bn.

He was re-arraigned on April 16, 2012, on a 38-count charge of stealing and mismanaging N211.3m, after the court dismissed the earlier case over failure of EFCC to seek the leave of court to amend the information before the court. As at the last date the matter was held, prosecution was still leading evidence.

Ibrahim Shema (Katsina)

The EFCC on January 10, 2017 arraigned former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema, for an alleged N11bn fraud. He was granted bail in the sum of N1bn and one reliable surety. The matter continues March 28.

Saminu Turaki ( Jigawa)

The EFCC is prosecuting former governor of Jigawa state, Saminu Turaki over a N36bn theft and money laundering crime.

Some of the charges included the N12bn withdrawn from the state treasury for the financing of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s third term agenda.

A Federal High Court in Dutse, Jigawa State, had issued a warrant for the arrest of Turaki. Operatives of EFCC last year reportedly stormed his house in a bid to execute the arrest warrant.

Sule Lamido ( Jigawa)

Another former governor Jigawa State Sule Lamido is facing a 27-count charge, along with his sons, Aminu and Mustapha of allegedly defrauding his state of N1.35bn.

Over N10bn is said to have been transferred from the Jigawa State government accounts into the accounts in which Lamido and his sons have interest. EFCC is said to have traced these transfers to 10 companies where Lamido and sons are directors and signatories to the account.

They were on September 22, 2016 re-arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja. The judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, is also standing trial for alleged gratification, thereby stalling Lamido’s trial.

Gabriel Suswam (Benue)

Former governor of Benue State Gabriel Suswam is also standing on trial at a Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly diverting over N3.1bn from the proceeds of the sale of shares by Benue State.

The absence of the trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed last month stalled the trial. It was adjourned to March 28 for continuation.

Murtala Nyako (Adamawa)

The former governor of Adamawa state and his son Senator AbdulAziz Nyako and Zulkifikk Abba are on trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

They are facing a 37-count charge of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, stealing and money laundering. The trial continues March 22.

Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa)

The former Adamawa state governor is on trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The EFCC arraigned Fintiri on June 30, 2016 alongside Mayim Construction and Properties Limited, for allegedly laundering N2.9bn through his naira and dollar accounts. He was also alleged to have purchased a property on Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja, when he was acting governor of the state.

The trial was stalled due to absence of the first prosecution witness who was scheduled for cross examination.

Jolly Nyame (Taraba)

Former governor of Taraba Jolly Nyame is facing a 41 count charge of criminal misuse of about N1.64bn state funds, by the EFCC at the FCT High court in Gudu. After his application of no-case submission was dismissed, Nyame will open his defense on April 24, 2017.

Joshua Dariye (Plateau)

Former governor of Plateau state Joshua Dariye faces a 21 count charge of breach of trust and diversion of N1.162billion of the ecological fund by EFCC.

After calling 10 witnesses in his defense, Dariye applied for the trial judge to disqualify herself. The application was dismissed and he is to continue his defence today, March 16.

Danjuma Goje (Gombe)

A Federal High Court, Jos last year ordered the arrest of former Gombe State governor, Danjuma Goje over his failure to attend his trial. The order was given on October 4, 2016 in connection with a N25 billion fraud charge against Goje by the EFCC.

Aliyu Akwe-Doma (Nasarawa)

Former governor of Nasarawa state, Aliyu Akwe-Doma is facing trial alongside two others for allegedly conspiring and fraudulently laundering state funds to the tune of N8 billion. He was arraigned before Justice Agatha A. Okeke of the Federal High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

At the last sitting on March 1st, counsel to the defence, Olalekan Ojo, informed the court of his intention to file a nocase submission. Justice Okeke adjourned to March 15, 2017 to hear the no-case submission.

Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu)

Former Enugu state governor, Chimaroke Nnamani, who was first arraigned before Justice Tijani Abubakar, was re-arraigned before Justice Mohammed Yinusa of the Federal High Court, Lagos on a 105-count charge of money laundering and economic crime to the tune of about N4.5 billion in 2013.

Proceedings on the matter had stalled on account of Nnamani’s frequent application to travel abroad for medical treatment on grounds of ill-health.