Court Adjourns N700m Case Against APC, PDP Chiefs

By Francis Ogbuagu Benin City

The Federal High Court sitting in  Benin, Tuesday adjourned till July 14, 2020, the N700 million alleged money laundering suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), against Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and four others in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The court had in its last on Thursday, June 18, 2020 validated the corruption charges against the defendants and adjourned the case to July 07, 2020 for further hearing.‎

However, Mr. Charles Edosomwan, Counsel to Ize-Iyamu, said “the case couldn’t go on today. The court had to adjourn because the first defendant and the court in the circumstances, adjourned the matter to July 14, 2020 for hearing of pending motions. We have a motion challenging the jurisdiction of this court. That is what is to be held on July 14, 2020.

“The first defendant’s motion is not the only motion in the suit. Other defendants also have their own motions challenging the jurisdiction of the this honourable court.

“There was not threat of Ize-Iyamu’s arrest, but the judge said that we should be in court on July 14.

“He (Ize-Iyamu) has never missed a court date. Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu will come to court if the circumstances are correct. The laws provide him (Ize-Iyamu) protection as far as he is willing to face his trial.”

Responding to the court order, the EFCC Prosecution Counsel, Mr. Ahmed Imoovba, said the matter was adjourned consequent upon the application of the first defendant who is unavoidably absent in court. He is said to be sick. The judge ordered him (Ize-Iyamu) to appear on the next adjourned date.

The presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Garba, after entertaining Counsel’s submission, adjourned the case to July 14, 2020 for hearing.

The anti-graft agency in Suit No. FHC/BE21C/ 2016 had filed eight- count charge against the accused persons bordering on alleged illegal receipt of public funds to the tune of N700 million for the purpose of the 2015 general election.

The EFCC further accused the defendants of conspiring among themselves to commit the offence in March, 2015, alleging that they took possession and control of the funds without any contract award. 

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