Friday 11 April 2014

LOOTING OF EDO TREASURY: LUCKY IGBINEDION TO BE RETRIED




The Court of Appeal, Benin, Edo State yesterday upheld the appeal of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as it ruled that former Edo State Governor, Lucky Igbinedion has a case to answer over allegations of money laundering and gross misconduct.
In a unanimous decision, the panel of three Justices led by Justice Helen Ogunwunmiju, ruled that Igbinedion should return to the Federal High Court to face trial over allegations of money laundering, misappropriation of funds and abuse of office.
The other Justices are Justice M. M. Saulawa and Justice A. O. Lokulo-Sodipe.
 The EFCC had approached the Court of Appeal, sequel to the judgment of Justice Adamu Hobon, then of the Federal High Court, Benin City who dismissed the fresh charge of money laundering filed against the former governor when he entered a plea bargain with the EFCC and was convicted, that the fresh charge brought against him amounted to double jeopardy.
The appellate court in upholding the appeal of the EFCC, ruled that there was no agreement between Igbinedion and the EFCC that he would not face trial on fresh allegations and revelations and therefore ruled that Igbinedion should return to the High Court to face proper trial.The EFCC had on February 8, 2011 charged the former governor and six others before a Federal High Court, Benin, on a 66-count charge. Others charged with the former governor were his brother, Michael Igbinedion, Patrick Eboigbodin, and four companies-Gava Corporation Limited, Romrig Nigeria Limited, PMI Securities Company Limited and PML (Nigeria) Limited.
The charge bordered on money laundering, illegal transfer of public funds to private accounts and abuse of office when Igbinedion was governor of Edo State between 1997 and 2007.

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