We’ve over 5 petitions against ex-Gov Ohakim – EFCC

By Chizoba Ogbeche
Abuja

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has said that the commission received over five petitions against former governor of Imo state, Ohakim Ikedia, who was arraigned on July 8, 2015, on a three-count charge bordering on money laundering.

EFCC’s Head Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, in a press statement, yesterday, in Abuja, said a prosecution witness and Senior Detective Superintendent (SDS), with the commission, Ishaya Dauda, told Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja, that the EFCC, received over five petitions against former Imo state Governor, Ohakim Ikedia, who was arraigned on Wednesday, July 8, 2015, on a three-count charge bordering on money laundering.
Ohakim is alleged to have made a cash payment of $2, 290,000.00(Two Million, Two Hundred and Ninety Thousand Dollars), for a piece of land at Plot No. 1098 Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, otherwise known as No.60, Kwame Nkurumah Street, Asokoro, Abuja.

He said the witness while answering a question by the defence counsel, Awa Kalu, the prosecution witness also told the court that some of the petitions against the accused person were received from the following sources: Alliance of Redemption and Destiny Organization; Aggrieved Imo State Citizens; Citizens for Imo Economic Security and 27 people (who are all signatories to a petition) from each of the 27 local governments in the state.
The spokesperson said when asked by the defence counsel if he made any effort to confirm whether or not the groups were registered, Dauda said there was no need to do that, noting that all the petitions were investigated.

However, the defence counsel asked for copies of the petitions in court, stating: “My Lord, it is important we see the petitions because the liberty and freedom and of our client is at stake. Besides, we need to see the petitions so that we can cross-examine the witness thoroughly,’’ said the defence counsel.
The spokesperson said the prosecution counsel, Festus Keyamo, raised an objection to the request, saying that the defence counsel had failed to do the proper thing as required by law.
The case was adjourned to December 7, 2015, for continuation of trial.