A magistrate court in Lagos has discharged former House member, Nze Chidi Duru and two of his aides on four count charges bothering on stealing of a laptop worth N250.000 and three office files from his company First Guarantee Pension Limited.
The Tinubu Magistrate Court also had some unkind words for other parties involved in the charges that cannot be relisted again.
An elated Duru in a statement by Osita Ogbuagu Jr., his Special Assistant, Media & Strategy, restated his confidence in the judiciary.
His statement Friday reads: “On the 16th and 17th of January, 2017 Nze Chidi Duru, the Vice Chairman of First Guarantee Pension Limited was arraigned alongside the Company Secretary, Barrister Smart Iheazor and his Special Assistant on Media & Strategy, Osita Ogbuagu Jr., before the Tinubu Magistrate Court on four count charges bothering on stealing of a laptop worth N250.000 and three office files from his company First Guarantee Pension Limited after six days of illegal arrest and detention in deplorable conditions.
“Bar Abdul Mohammed Counsel to Nze Chidi Duru and his associates filed a preliminary objection to the baseless charges on March 22nd 2017 on grounds that the charges are an abuse of court process and that the complainants, The Interim Management of First Guarantee Pension are Contemptnors of various judgements of Court and that no legal rights can innure to a person acting against an order of court and that the complainants lacked the locus standi to press such charges stating that all persons are bound to obey the laws of the land.
“The Magistrate in his wisdom stated that there were already existing rulings from superior courts in favour of Nze Chidi Duru stating that these judgements were never set aside stating that the Nigerian Police Force rather than carry out the orders of court has become the arresting party.
“He further stated that a court judgement is like fire that must be obeyed and a declaratory judgement by its very nature cannot be stayed. He further stated that Nze Chidi Duru have the legal rights to enforce all the judgements in his favour with or without the Police.
“Describing the complainants as embarking on a worthless voyage and an abuse of court process….
“Nze Chidi Duru in his statement stated that “the wheels may grind slowly but sure grinds exceedingly well. He re affirmed his unshakeable faith in the judiciary whilst thanking his family, friends and the press for their support over the years.’
“Thanks for your continued support through very trying times and it’s believed that this would serve as a deterrent from any form of abuse of office.
