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Ex-Anambra Gov, Obiano loses bid to stop trial in N40bn fraud charges
Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the application by a former Anambra State Governor, Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, which sought to quash the N40 billion money laundering charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
The Judge, in a ruling delivered on Thursday, faulted and rejected all grounds upon which the application was predicated by Obiano.
The former governor had, among others, prayed the Judge to dismiss the 9-count charges instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on behalf of the Federal Government.
He claimed that there was no connection between the proof of evidence supplied to the court by the EFCC and the accusations against him.
He averred that there was no testimony from any witness indicating that he issued directives for the disbursement of security votes and other funds belonging to the Anambra State Government.
Obiano also claimed that he could not be held accountable for any alleged unlawful actions by officials of the Anambra State Government as there is no concept of vicarious liability in the criminal justice system.
His motion on notice was brought pursuant to Section 6(6)(a) and (b) and Section 36(6)(b) of the 1999 constitution as amended and Section 1(1) & (2), 266, 271(b), 383(4) &492 (3) of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act 2015.
Among others, Obiano sought “An order of the court quashing the instant charge for it amounts to flagrant abuse of judicial process and a mockery of the criminal Justice
“An order quashing the charge for non-disclosure of a prime facie case being vague and devoid of precision in respect of all the 9 count charges.
“No prima facie case has been disclosed against the defendant in this charge. There is no link between the proof of evidence and the purported allegation made against the defendant in the charge
“No evidence exists from any witness showing that the defendant passed down a directive for the disbursement of security votes and other funds belonging to Anambra State government.
“The defendant cannot be made answerable for any purported unlawful actions of officials of Anambra State government as there is no vicarious liability in our criminal jurisprudence.
“The thinking and conclusion of the prosecution on the counts arose from speculation and suspicions.
“The subject matter of the charge borders on accountability for security vote funds.
The honourable court lacks the requisite jurisdiction to entertain issues on accountability for security vote funds
“There is an appeal filed by the Anambra state government challenging the powers of EFCC to investigate the security vote of Anambra state government.
“The preferment of the entire charge is in bad faith. This honourable court has inherent judicial power to grant all the reliefs sought above.”
But in the ruling, Justice Ekwo held that all the reliefs sought by Obiano are not grantable because they are premature and lacking in merit.
The Judge said there is no way the court would know whether the former governor is linked with the alleged offences or not unless the trial is conducted in line with the provisions of the law.
The former governor is being prosecuted by EFCC on 9-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N40 billion.
Meanwhile, the Judge has fixed June 24, 25, 26 and 27 for full blown trial of the charges.
In the same vein, Justice Ekwo permitted Obiano 60 days to travel abroad for medical treatment.
The Judge ordered that Obiano be made to sign an undertaking to return to the country after the treatment and to deposit his travelling passport within three days of his return to Nigeria.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has unveiled a document for Women in Mining in Nigeria (WIMIN) strategy document.
Speaking at the event, he described the strategy as a significant mile stone in the sector.
He said that the move was a demonstration of the commitment of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD)` and Ministry of Steel Development in fostering diversity.
He said that the strategy is aimed at promoting gender equality and women`s empowerment, adding that its focused on driving productivity for the nations` sustainable development.
“It also focuses on improving the opportunities for women to benefit from both sectors sustainably in policy, regulatory, operational, and commercial (large scale, medium scale, small scale, and artisanal levels), and value and supply chain roles.
“This strategy is not just a document but a call to action and a blueprint for all stakeholders to create a more inclusive and gender-balanced mining and steel sector.
“It provides a guideline and framework to guide both ministries, their agencies, and stakeholders to integrate gender equality and women’s empowerment priorities in their policies, programmes, and initiatives, “ he said.
He acknowledged the indispensable contributions of women to the success and sustainability of the mining sector, saying that their talents, expertise, and perspectives are critical to the success and growth of the industry.
According to him, Nigeria is not immune from the biases perpetuated against women in these two sectors.
In addressing the situation, he said that the Federal Government has prioritised gender equity and female participation in its “Roadmap for the Growth and Development of the Nigerian Mining Industry.
He said as part of the efforts of MSMD and Ministry of Steel Development to implement the roadmap, the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification (MinDiver) engaged a consultancy to develop the gender strategy.
He said that to achieve the objectives of the strategy, its institutional capacity would be strengthened for effective gender mainstreaming.
He added that that women’s participation in leadership and governance roles within the mining sector and communities would be increased.
“Promoting women’s economic empowerment and rights and eliminating all barriers (structural and systemic) that hinder women’s meaningful participation, access and control over mining resources and benefits, “ he said.
The minister added that they were committed to building partnerships across a wide range of stakeholders in achieving the vision of the strategy.
He said that the WIMIN strategy was firmly rooted in the principles of equality, diversity, and empowerment, and a call to action for stakeholders mobilisation toward a more inclusive and gender-balanced industry.
Earlier in her remarks, the National President of WIMIN, Dr Janet Adeyemi, described the launch of the strategy as an opportunity to galvanise support and implement actions to address the entrenched gender disparities within the mining and steel sectors.
Represented by the National Secretary, Mrs Emily Ofodile, she said that women within these industries continue to encounter multifaceted barriers that hinder their full participation and advancement.
On her part, the Permanent Secretary of MSMD, Dr Mary Ogbe, urged, women to be change agents at all levels, and urged all organisations to have gender focal persons to help in coordinating all related matters.
The Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will host a Justice Reform Summit with the theme: “Enhancing The Administration of Justice For Economic Growth, Investment Protection And Security in Lagos State,” on May 27 and 28.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mrs Titilayo ShittaBey-Jeje, Solicitor, General/Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, on Wednesday.
ShittaBey -Jeje said that Sanwo-Olu would be the Chief Host at the summit which would take place at Marriott Hotel, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
She said the Chief Justice of Federation, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola would be the Chairman, while the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), would be the special guest of honour.
ShittaBey-Jeje said the Lagos State Government had became a pathfinder for justice reform following its various landmark and innovative achievements over the years.
She, however, noted that being the economic nerve centre of the country, there were real and new challenges to address.
ShittaBey-Jeje said the summit would explore diverse perspective towards effective and efficient administration of justice for economic growth and investment protection in the state and Nigeria at large.
She said the ministry had created an avenue for stakeholders and members of the public to express their views, observations and recommendations for the reform in order to gather insights from a wide spectrum of Nigerians.
“Therefore, the stakeholders and members of the public can send their contributions to [email protected], whatsapp no: 07032276146, facebook – @Lagosmoj, twitter- @Lagosmoj and instagram-@Lagosmoj,” she said.
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