The Federal High Court, Abuja on Thursday dismissed an application by the former governor of Anambra, Willie Obiano challenging the powers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) to prosecute him.
Ruling on an application filed by Obiano challenging his trial on Thursday, Justice Inyang Ekwo said the application lacked merit and deserved to be dismissed.
The judge faulted and rejected all the grounds upon which the application was predicated on by Obiano.
He said that there was no way the court would know whether the former governor was linked with the alleged offences or not unless the trial was conducted in line with the provisions of the law.
Justice Ekwo held that the issue under contention, which was the security votes of the state were paid from the federation account and so the prosecution had a valid case.
“As long as the EFCC Act has not been declared unconstitutional, this court cannot stop the implementation of the act.
“The powers of the EFCC ought to be a question of law and has bearing in the 1999 Constitution.
“State security votes come from the federation account making the development a constitutional issue.
“This court has no powers to preempt the case of the prosecution, ” the judge said.
Ruling of the issue of proof of evidence, the judge said that the Federal High Court was a court of summary jurisdiction in criminal proceedings.
He held that summary jurisdiction excused the use of proof of evidence prior to the commencement of trial.
He also said the appeal filed by the Anambra government referenced by the defendant had been determined in favour of the EFCC by the Supreme Court.
He, however, said the provisions of the constitution through which the application was brought had no bearing on the case.
“I find at this point that none of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) upon which the applicant relied on in his application , has any bearing on this case.”
In his final analysis, the judge said that he was minded to make an order dismissing the application.
Following the ruling, counsel to Obiano, Mr Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN moved an application requesting the release of his client’s international passport to enable him travel abroad for medical treatment.
“This is based on the health condition and medical appointments of the defendant.
“His treatments usually last sixty days . He will comply with the conditions set by my lord, “Ikpeazu said.
Counsel to the EFCC, Mr Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, said that the prosecution was not opposing the application even though expressed reservations about the 60 days required for treatment.
“We are not opposed to the application but we have issues with the 60 days because the trial has been truncated already.”
The judge was minded to grant the application but said that the former governor must return his international passport to the registrar of the court upon his return.
He adjourned the matter untill June 24, 25, 26, 27 for trial to start.