The court granted an interim
injunction restraining Governor Obaseki from arresting and prosecuting
Oshiomhole over indictment in a white paper submitted to the State government.
injunction restraining Governor Obaseki from arresting and prosecuting
Oshiomhole over indictment in a white paper submitted to the State government.
It was a sigh of relief for the
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Adams
Oshiomhole on Monday as a Federal High Court in Abuja stopped Edo State
Government and Governor Godwin Obaseki from arresting and prosecuting the
former Governor.
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Adams
Oshiomhole on Monday as a Federal High Court in Abuja stopped Edo State
Government and Governor Godwin Obaseki from arresting and prosecuting the
former Governor.
The presiding judge, Justice Ahmed
Mohammed, in a ruling, said the restraining order should subsist, pending the
determination of whether or not the Federal High Court has jurisdiction to hear
the suit filed by Oshiomhole seeking to stop his prosecution.
Mohammed, in a ruling, said the restraining order should subsist, pending the
determination of whether or not the Federal High Court has jurisdiction to hear
the suit filed by Oshiomhole seeking to stop his prosecution.
In a white paper, Oshiomhole was
indicted for corruption by a panel of inquiry set up by Governor Obaseki and
headed by Justice Oyomire.
indicted for corruption by a panel of inquiry set up by Governor Obaseki and
headed by Justice Oyomire.
The APC National Chairman ran to the
court after the panel recommended his arrest and prosecution in the white
paper.
court after the panel recommended his arrest and prosecution in the white
paper.
Lawyer to the former Labour leader,
West Idahosa, prayed the court, via an ex-parte for an order restraining the
respondents.
West Idahosa, prayed the court, via an ex-parte for an order restraining the
respondents.
Inspector General of Police, the
Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice of Edo State, Justice J. Oyomire,
and the Department of State Services (DSS) were also listed as respondents in
the case.
Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice of Edo State, Justice J. Oyomire,
and the Department of State Services (DSS) were also listed as respondents in
the case.
Lawyer to the Edo Government Alex
Ejeiseme (SAN) had challenged the court jurisdiction and sought to stop the
ex-parte order from being granted in a motion of preliminary objection he
brought before the court.
Ejeiseme (SAN) had challenged the court jurisdiction and sought to stop the
ex-parte order from being granted in a motion of preliminary objection he
brought before the court.
Justice Mohammed, after listening to
arguments by lawyers to parties in the case, ordered the respondents to stay
action, as it relates to the subject of the case, pending the determination of
whether or not the court has jurisdiction.
arguments by lawyers to parties in the case, ordered the respondents to stay
action, as it relates to the subject of the case, pending the determination of
whether or not the court has jurisdiction.
“An interim order is hereby made
restraining the prosecution of the applicant pursuant to the report submitted
to the 1st to 3rd respondents or any white paper, pending the determination of
the issue of jurisdiction raised in the 1st to 4th respondents notice
preliminary objection,” the judge said.
restraining the prosecution of the applicant pursuant to the report submitted
to the 1st to 3rd respondents or any white paper, pending the determination of
the issue of jurisdiction raised in the 1st to 4th respondents notice
preliminary objection,” the judge said.
Mohammed further directed the APC
Chairman’s lawyer to serve court documents on the case on all the respondents
within 48 hours.
Chairman’s lawyer to serve court documents on the case on all the respondents
within 48 hours.
The matter was adjourned for further
hearing till June 17, 2020.
hearing till June 17, 2020.
