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.
No comments:
Post a Comment