By Yemi Oyeyemi, Abuja.
For the sixth consecutive time, the planned arraignment of former Aviation Minister, Senator Adaeze Stella Oduah, in a N7.9 billion corruption charges has been aborted in Abuja.
The arraignment billed for Monday November 22 before Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo of the federal high court in Abuja was scuttled by a petition written against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by two other co-defendants.
The two co-defendants are Crystal Television Limited and Sobora International Limited which are 7th and 8th defendants.
Shortly after Mrs Oduah, a serving senator representing Anambra North district and three others were called into the dock to take their plea, counsel to 7th and 8th defendants, Ogwu James Onoja SAN, objected to the arraignment on the ground that his clients are been persecuted by the EFCC.
The senior lawyer insisted that the aggrieved defendants had petitioned the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami SAN, seeking for a review of the charges against them.
Ogwu informed Justice Ekwo that the AGF upon receipt of the petition, wrote the Executive Chairman of the EFCC to remit the case file to his office for a review adding that in flagrant disregard to the AGF’S letter, the EFCC had bluntly refused to remit the case file to the AGF.
He tendered certified true copy of the AGF’s letter as received by the EFCC chairman and urged the court not to allow the arraignment until the petition has been resolved in the interest of justice.
However, counsel to EFCC, Mr Ofem Uket denied knowing anything about the AGF letter adding that as a staff of EFCC, he was just sighting the letter for the first time in court.
The counsel urged the court to disregard the petition by the defendants and proceed to arraign them.
He said that the AGF would have come to the court if he had any opposition to the arraignment.
However, Justice Ekwo said that since the petition was raised as both statutory and constitutional matter by the defendants, he would not proceed.
The Judge then ordered counsel in the matter to file written addresses for and against the issue raised in the open court and exchange same on the competence of the charges before the adjournmed date..
Justice Ekwo fixed February 10, 2022 for adoption of the written addresses and also ordered that Mrs Oduah and other defendants in the charges should continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted them..
Mrs Oduah’s planned arraignment for November 22 on the corruption charges had before now, been stalled five times due to her persistent absence in court and public holiday.
Justice Ekwo had on July 12 threatened to issue warrant for her arrest should she fail to make herself available for arraignment on the then adjournmed date of October 19. The date fell on Eid-el Maulud holiday.
The arrest threat was issued following her non-appearance to honour court proceedings of July 12 without explanations.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is alleging that Mrs Oduah misappropriated the N7.9 billion public funds while serving as a Aviation Minister under former President, Dr.Goodluck Jonathan.
Other defendants are Mrs Gloria Odita, Mrs Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi, Mrs Chukwuma Irene Chinyere, Global Offshore and Marine Limited, Tip Top Global Resources Limited, Crystal Television Limited and Sobora International Limited.
They are charged with conspiracy and money laundering as well as maintaining anonymous bank accounts.
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