President Bola Tinubu and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been called upon not to allow any derailment in the arraignment on Monday of Senator Stella Oduah over the N7.9 billion alleged fraud brought against her by the commission.
A group under the aegis of Today Anti-Corruption Network (TACN) alleged that those behind the plot have forwarded a N100 million cheque as part of a plea bargain despite the failure of Senator Oduah, the principal accused, to take the stand despite 13 court sessions.
The group said it was an affront to the avowed anti-corruption stance of President Tinubu and the APC administration.
The stance of the group follows the N7.9 billion charge brought against Senator Oduah, a former minister of aviation by the EFCC, but for which she has failed to take a plea despite 13 court sessions.
Noting that her failure to take a plea could flow from her camp that she would never take a plea, the group in the statement said it was a direct affront to the judiciary and President Tinubu to fight corruption.
TACN in a petition to the EFCC signed by Engr. Olufemi Austin, Director of Programme, Abdulrasheed Dandutse, General Secretary and Victor Obi Esq, Victor Obi Esq Director, Monitoring said:
“We are non-profitable, Non-Governmental organisation fully committed to fighting corruption in Nigeria, as well as promoting democratic ideals.
“Sir, kindly note that the planned arraignment of a former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah on the N7.9bn money laundering charges on 5th June, 6th June,7th June, 8th June and 9th June 2023 may be stalled for thirteenth (13th) consecutive times before Justice Ekwo Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja.
“This is because a decoy letter from Crystal Television (one of the defendants charged with Senator Oduah) to the EFCC Chairman dated 30th May, 2023, which was copied to Registrar, Federal High Court 7 Abuja promising to refund some of the alleged laundered money is to be brought up to stop her arraignment scheduled for 5th June, 6th June, 7th June and 8th June 2023.
“Sir, it is most disheartening that this case was filed by EFCC on 17th December 2020 and was assigned to Justice Ekwo since then, yet she has allegedly plotted with known elements in the judiciary not to enter witness box to take her plea for 2 years and 6 months after the case was filed and until President Buhari hands over to his Successor.
“This credible intelligent report explains why the planned arraignment has failed 13 times on record after EFCC finished their investigation and filed the case at Federal High Court Abuja .
“Excellency sir, this well rehearsed orchestrated script and drama that have been played for the past 3 years in the Federal High Court Abuja, before Justice Ekwo is a monumental disgrace and slap to the anti corruption crusade of apc led federal government.
“Despite the clear provision of the law especially section 396 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act ( ACJA 396) which provides that Defendant has to take plea first before raising PLEMINARY OBJECTION and also the clear letter of 6th May, 2022 from the office of AGF that she should take her plea, yet she did not take plea from December 2020 till date.
“The letter from the learned SAN, Chief Ogwuche .J. Onoja dated 30th May, 2023 (see Annexure “A”), should not be used as another ploy for the respected Justice Ekwo Ekwo of Federal High Court Abuja to further stop Senator Stella Oduah not to enter witness box to take her plea.
“We are left with no choice to believe what those around her have bragged that she will never enter witness box to take her plea so far the case is still with Justice Ekwo Ekwo.
“Justice Ekwo had fixed 12th October, 2022 for her to enter witness box and take her plea but arrangement was made for some of the witnesses to be absent which automatically foisted a long adjournment to 13th February 2023.
“We are at loss why the Chairman of EFCC has not directed the EFCC Prosecutors to apply to Chief Judge of Federal High Court Abuja to reassign this case (FHC/ABJ/CS/316/2020 FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA v STELLA ODUAH & 8 OTHERS) when it is very obvious that Justice Ekwo will not allow her to enter witness box to take her plea.”
The group is seeking three prayers:
One that the President should “use your good office to liase with Chief Justice of Nigeria, Chief Judge of Federal High Court Abuja and other persons you may deem necessary to unravel the “mystery” and “reasons” that made possible that Justice Ekwo never allowed Senator Stella Oduah to be arraigned, 2 years and 6 months after EFCC filed this case.
Two, “Sir, kindly direct the EFCC Chairman to advise EFCC Prosecutors to urgently apply to Chief Judge of Federal High Court Abuja for reassignment of this case to any other Judge.”
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