Court Fixes January 17 For Arraignment Of Former Gov Ohakim

Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday fixed January 17, 2022, for the arraignment of former Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim.

Ohakim and Chinedu Okpaleke are being prosecuted by the Federal Government for allegedly threatening to release nude photographs of an Abuja-based lady, Chinyere Amuchienwa, if she fails to drop charges of attempted kidnap against them.

Following a petition by Chinyere Amuchienwa, the police had filed a criminal charge against Ohakim and Okpaleke, but later discovered that the content of the petition was false and misleading.

Consequently, an effort by the Police to withdraw the charge against the defendants marked FHC/ABJ/CS/287/2020, proved abortive as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice applied to the court to take over the matter.

On September 27, Justice Taiwo ruled that the AGF has unfettered power to take over the case.

At a resumed hearing of the matter on Monday, A. K Alilu, an Assistant Director, Public Prosecution of the Federation announced an appearance for the AGF, while Emeka Etiaba SAN appeared for the 1st defendant.

Kenneth C.O, SAN represented the 2nd defendant just as Ifeanyi Nwaeze, held the brief of the nominal complainant (Chinyere Amuchienwa).

Etiaba apologized to the court that his client was absent because he was in isolation due to the OMICRON COVID-19 variant, having returned from South Africa.

Counsel to Ohakim also apologised for Ohakim’s inability to be in court, citing health reasons.

Reacting, the prosecution counsel said the matter was “intentionally being stalled from going on because nobody informed the prosecution of all these developments