Suit against Soludo


The Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti yesterday adjourned the suit filed by a rights activist Morakinyo Ogele against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Prof Chukwuma Soludo till March 5 for adoption of addresses.

Justice Louis Alagoa directed parties to exchange briefs before March 5 when all addresses are expected to be adopted.

Ogele, who is a lawyer, approached the court for an order of mandamus to compel the ICPC to investigate Soludo’s handling of transaction involving the African Finance Corporation (AFC) which in his opinion, did not comply with the principles of transparency and due process.

The ICPC was not represented by any counsel at yesterday’s proceedings.

Counsel to Soludo, Mr. C.I. Mbaeri who had filed a notice of preliminary objection dated November 13, last year, yesterday filed a written address in support of the preliminary objection.

Ogele who represented himself in the matter objected that the preliminary objection is incompetent on grounds that Soludo’s counsel had mixed facts with the law.

He also argued that though the alleged offence was not committed in the jurisdiction of the court, the Federal High Court is constitutionally empowered to assume jurisdiction over matters anywhere in the country, citing the case of M.K.O Abiola v Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Justice Louis Alagoa ordered parties to address the court on the issue of where the alleged offence was committed, the motion challenging the competence of the preliminary objection and the notice of the preliminary objection itself.

Justice Alagoa who raised the issue of the jurisdiction of the place of commission of the alleged offence suo moto urged parties to supply him the authorities of the Court of Appeal on the issue of assumption of jurisdiction.