Ohakim loses bid to stop trial over alleged $2.9m fraud

Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed the ‘No-case submission’ filed by the former governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, in his trial at the court.

Ohakim, a former governor of Imo State, is being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering and related offences.

The judge, in his ruling, held that the Prosecuting counsel, Festus Keyamo, has established a prima-facie case against Ohakim and as such, he should be prepared to open his defence.

“It is important for the court to adopt the principles of laws guiding it, and after applying these special principles of laws, it has resolved that a prima- facie case has been made against the defendant and the onus lies on him to defend himself, having taken his plea in respect of the criminal charge.

“The ‘No-case submission filed by the defendant is hereby dismissed and the case is adjourned to October 10 and 13 for the commencement of defence,” Justice Ademola stated.”

Ohakim was arraigned by the EFCC on offences bothering on misappropriation of public funds belonging to the state government while in office.

Having pleaded not guilty to all the charges, the trial proper began. But when it was his turn to call his defence, he filed a ‘No-case submission’, praying the court to strike out all the charges against him.

Ohakim, through his counsel, Awa Kalu (SAN), had told the court that he had no case to answer. Kalu further told the court that the confessional statement Ohakim made to the EFCC was under duress, following the eight hours drilling he went through in the hands of security operatives.