50m Dollar Fraud Case: Amaechi, Cole Reject Private Prosecutor, Gives Powerful Reason
- Former Governor of Rivers state Rotimi Amaechi, APC governorship candidate Tonye Cole and five others have rejected the prosecutor handling the fifty million trial fraud case
- This is as a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, on Thursday, reversed its decision on a move by the state government to handover the prosecution of Amaechi
- Meanwhile, the duo were charged for misappropriating over $50 million belonging to the state during the former transportation minister’s administration
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The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has reserved a ruling on an application challenging the legality of the state’s use of a private prosecutor in the trial of former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Tonye Cole and five others.
Meanwhile, Amaechi, Cole, Sahara Energy and others were charged with misappropriating over $50 million belonging to the state during the former transportation minister’s administration.
Source: Twitter
The court ruling
After prolonged legal fireworks, Justice Okogbule Gbasam reserved a ruling to review whether it was right for the public prosecutor to hand over a trial to a private prosecutor without meeting some legal requirements, The Nation reports.
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The matter became an issue when Mr. Donald C. Denwigwe (SAN) appeared with a certificate issued from the office of the Attorney-General of the state authorising him to take over the prosecution.
Rotimi Amaechi's lawyer reacts
But, Amaechi’s lawyer Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN) opposed the appearance of Denwigwe, saying it was against the law of the state, Vanguard added.
Owonikoko said the certificate was in contravention of Section 109 (1) (e) of the Rivers State Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL).
He insisted that the section’s provisions do not allow a private prosecutor to substitute a public prosecutor in a matter that had been instituted by a public prosecutor, without meeting stipulated pre-conditions.
He urged the court not to recognise the private prosecutor, saying it should be taken that the state was not represented in the matter.
Justice Gbasam adjourned till July 29.
2023: Atiku hints at peace talks with Wike as PDP crisis thickens
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has said that he is open to meeting with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state.
It was reported that Abubakar made this assertion on Thursday, July 14, while fielding questions from journalists in Osogbo, the Osun state capital.
When asked if the party is divided into factions, Abubakar said:
“It is a social media drama. There is nothing like a Wike camp or Atiku camp. There is one PDP family.”
2023: Human rights activist, Aisha Yesufu slams Tinubu over Muslim running mate
All reacting to Tinubu's choice for a Muslim candidate, #EndSars heroine Aisha Yefufu berated the APC presidential candidate.
According to Aisha, Tinubu's action was totally justifiable as it does not democracy that he has often preached
She further stated that a Muslim-Muslim ticket is an insult to fairness, equity and justice.
Source: Legit.ng
