A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday stopped the Edo
State Government and Governor Godwin Obaseki, from arresting and
prosecuting the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress
(APC), Adams Oshiomhole, over indictment contained in a white paper
submitted to the state government.
A panel of inquiry set up by the state government and headed by
Justice J. Oyomire, had in a white paper indicted Oshiomhole of
allegations bordering on corruption.
In addition, the document recommended the arrest and prosecution
of Oshiomhole.
Justice Ahmed Muhammed after listening to an Exparte motion
moved by counsel to the APC national chairman, Mr. West Idahosa,
who urged the court to stop the arrest and prosecution of his
client on account of the white paper.
His motion was vehemently oppossed to by counsel to the Edo
Government, Mr. Alex Ejeiseme, SAN, through a notice of preliminary
objection challenging the motion.
Others listed as respondents in the motion exparte are Attorney-
General and Commissioner of Justice of Edo state, Justice J.
Oyomire, the Inspector General of Police and the Department of
State Services.
However, after listening to submissions of counsel ordered
respondents in the matter to stay action in respect of the case
pending the determination of the issue of jurisdiction.
Ejeiseme had earlier objected to the hearing of the case by the
court on the ground that the court has no jurisdiction to hear the
matter.
In his ruling after listening to parties in the matter, the
court held, ”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, pendingvthe
determination of the issue of jurisdiction raised in the 1st to 4th
respondents notice preliminary objection”.
The court also directed Oshiomhole’s counsel to serve all the
respondents his processes within 48 hours.
The case has been adjourned to June 17, 2020.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday stopped the Edo
State Government and Governor Godwin Obaseki, from arresting and
prosecuting the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress
(APC), Adams Oshiomhole, over indictment contained in a white paper
submitted to the state government.
A panel of inquiry set up by the state government and headed by
Justice J. Oyomire, had in a white paper indicted Oshiomhole of
allegations bordering on corruption.
In addition, the document recommended the arrest and prosecution
of Oshiomhole.
Justice Ahmed Muhammed after listening to an Exparte motion
moved by counsel to the APC national chairman, Mr. West Idahosa,
who urged the court to stop the arrest and prosecution of his
client on account of the white paper.
His motion was vehemently oppossed to by counsel to the Edo
Government, Mr. Alex Ejeiseme, SAN, through a notice of preliminary
objection challenging the motion.
Others listed as respondents in the motion exparte are Attorney-
General and Commissioner of Justice of Edo state, Justice J.
Oyomire, the Inspector General of Police and the Department of
State Services.
However, after listening to submissions of counsel ordered
respondents in the matter to stay action in respect of the case
pending the determination of the issue of jurisdiction.
Ejeiseme had earlier objected to the hearing of the case by the
court on the ground that the court has no jurisdiction to hear the
matter.
In his ruling after listening to parties in the matter, the
court held, ”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, pendingvthe
determination of the issue of jurisdiction raised in the 1st to 4th
respondents notice preliminary objection”.
The court also directed Oshiomhole’s counsel to serve all the
respondents his processes within 48 hours.
The case has been adjourned to June 17, 2020.