A Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo state, Tuesday, ruled that it has jurisdiction to entertain the money laundering charge brought against Pastor Osagie Ize -Iyamu, and four others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The commission in a press statement by the Head, Media & Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, in Abuja, said: “The other defendants are Lucky Imasuen, former Deputy Governor of Edo state, Chief Dan Orbih; former PDP Chairman in Edo State; Tony Aziegbemi and Efe Erimuoghae.
“The defendants were alleged to have sometime in March 2015 in Benin City directly taken possession of the sum of N700 million without any contract award which sum was allegedly part of proceeds of an unlawful act.”
He said they had pleaded not guilty to the charges setting the stage for their trial; however, Counsel to the first defendant, Charles Edosomwan (SAN), challenged the jurisdiction of the Court to hear the matter on the grounds that the charges filed against the defendants were based on election matter.
The spokesperson said Edosomwan argued that the appropriate Court to try electoral matter was the Magistrate or High Court of the state.
“In his ruling today, Justice M. G Umar said the matter before the Court was money laundering which the Federal High Court has exclusive jurisdiction over and therefore dismissed their application.
“He berated the defendants for filing the motion which he said was intended to waste the time of the Court,” Uwujaren stated.
He said Justice Umar adjourned the case till May 18, 2021, for further hearing.
