ABUJA—The former governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, on Thursday, failed to persuade the Federal High Court in Abuja to quash the three-count criminal charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, preferred against him.

The court, in a ruling by Justice Ademola Adeniyi, held that the former governor who piloted the affairs of Imo state between May 2007 and May 2011, has a case to answer pertaining to the charges against him.

The charges border on money laundering, abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds.

Justice Adeniyi held that the anti-graft agency successfully established a prima-facie criminal case against the defendant that would warrant him to
enter his defence before the court.

Consequently, Ohakim’s no-case-submission was dismissed by the court which ordered the former governor to open his defence on October 10.

The charge against Ohakim arose from his alleged purchase of the property at 60, Kwame Nkrumah Street, Plot No 1098, Cadastral ZoneA04, Asokoro District, Abuja with cash payment of $2.29m which was said to be dollar equivalent of N270m in November 2008.

The property, according to the agency, was acquired with funds the defendant allegedly laundered from Imo state treasury.

He was also accused of failing to declare the property as part of his assets when asked by the EFCC to do so.

The prosecution said the erstwhile governor violated section 15(1)(d) and section 14(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004. Ohakim was said to have paid for the property in cash.

mrkayusfit:
God bless Buhari

youngest85:


Why?

NOC1:
We Imolites knows that Ohakim has a very Big case to answer, A man with out a single project for good 4years.
Where I get confuse daily is when I see youths as his foot soldiers on social media.

bosslhadi:
It's my birthday today!! Happy birthday to me

KINGinVAHALA:








Not surprised, though Efcc and FG are trying their best to bring corruption in Nigeria to its minimal but our courts aren't just helping matters, if not how come some of these men aren't already behind bars??

How I wish this present EFCC are both the prosecutors, courts and judges.

dammytosh:


Happy Birthday Angel.

May God bless your new age.

You have a future and never allow anybody make you think otherwise.

Your traditional outfit is the bomb.!!

Okijajuju1:



Don't blame the courts, blame the Attorney Generals office for not recruiting good lawyers.

Judges pass judgement based on evidence not sentiments.

KINGinVAHALA:


You have made a valid point but I don't think I would agree to your assertion.

Its well known that these judges postpone cases most times for obvious reasons. Or is the those "incompetent" lawyers in Attorney's General office that made them do so?

Do not forget that this present govt and efcc in particular has always given their cases to capable and well learned lawyers, sans mostly, to handle.

Okijajuju1:



Reasons for postponing cases vary not always the fault of the judges..

Legal maneuvers alone can tie up a case in court for years and should the judge try to force their way through to a judgment, it can actually end up in a mistrial and the judge facing sanctions.

bosslhadi:
It's my birthday today!! Happy birthday to me

ElPadrino33:
Ohakim just return some of the money and live in peace.

mccoy47:

Since March last year dat u opened NL account u have just 10post n 5 of wich are related to ur birthday today?