In a unanimous decision, the panel of three Justices led
by Justice Helen Ogunwunmiju, ruled that Igbinedion should return to the
Federal High Court to face trial over allegations of money laundering,
misappropriation of funds and abuse of office.
The other Justices are Justice M. M. Saulawa and Justice
A. O. Lokulo-Sodipe.
The EFCC had approached the Court of Appeal, sequel to
the judgment of Justice Adamu Hobon, then of the Federal High Court, Benin City
who dismissed the fresh charge of money laundering filed against the former
governor when he entered a plea bargain with the EFCC and
was convicted, that the fresh charge brought against him amounted to double
jeopardy.
The appellate court in upholding the appeal of the EFCC,
ruled that there was no agreement between Igbinedion and the EFCC that he would
not face trial on fresh allegations and revelations and therefore ruled that
Igbinedion should return to the High Court to face proper trial.The EFCC had on
February 8, 2011 charged the former governor and six others before a Federal
High Court, Benin, on a 66-count charge. Others charged with the former
governor were his brother, Michael Igbinedion, Patrick Eboigbodin, and
four companies-Gava Corporation Limited, Romrig Nigeria Limited, PMI Securities
Company Limited and PML (Nigeria) Limited.
The charge bordered on money laundering, illegal transfer
of public funds to private accounts and abuse of office when Igbinedion was
governor of Edo State between 1997 and 2007.
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