MARGARET CHIDERA
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, shifted the arraignment of Senator Stella Oduah, former Minister of Aviation over N7.9bn fraud charge to January 13, 2023.
The judge also ordered an accelerated hearing of the case just as the prosecuting agency the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) told the court the Attorney General of Federation (AFG) has gaven it approval to prosecute Oduah on the alleged misappropriation when she was the minister of Aviation.
Justice Ekwo said the matter will be heard by the Court on daily bases on January 14, 15, 16 and 17, 2023, just as EFCC informed it had assembled 32 witnesses to prove it case against Oduah and others.
EFCC had filed the criminal charge against the former minister of Aviation, Senator Oduah who now represent Anambra North Senatorial District, but Oduah had not taking her plea.
At a resumed court session on Wednesday counsel to the EFCC, Dr. Hassan Liman announced that the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF has given a directive for the prosecution of Stella Odua and other defendants.
The prosecuting counsel also informed the court that it has concluded all investigations relating to the matter and gathered 32 witnesses who are ready to testify in the suit.
Oduah, who currently represents Anambra North Senatorial District at the National Assembly and eight others, were expected to be arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and she was in court.
Counsel to the 7th& 8th defendants James Onoja SAN, on Wednesday recalled that he had informed during the last sitting that a petition had already been sent to the AGF, complaining that the defendants were just being persecuted.
He explained that a letter from the AGF to the EFCC had called for the review of the matter, but that the anti-graft agency had refused to return the case file to the AGF as requested by his office.
Onoja had presented the certified true copy of the letter to the court.“There was a petition written to the Attorney General of the Federation which is a complain made against this prosecution because we found out that this trial was a persecution and we got a response from the AGF.
“The AGF requested for the file and up till now, the EFCC has refused to send the case file to the AGF.
“This case is a matter of persecution and is not a prosecution.“Based on that, we have the objection that this plea cannot be taken.
In his respond, Liman said AGF in his letter of legal advice to EFCC had directed the agency to continue with the matter.The letter in which also the defendants’ counsels acknowledged receipt.
Justice Ekwo subsequently adjourned to 13, 14, 15,16 and 17 for accelerated hearing and cautioned against parties’ opposition to documentary evidence while submission is in process.
