A Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the arrest and investigation of barrister Ibrahim Mohammed on Tuesday for accusing Sen. Stella Oduah of committing a crime on behalf of the EFCC while he was a member of the Nigerian Police Force.
Shortly after Mr. Mohammed notified the Nigerian police’s appearance in the case marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/275/2023 filed against Mr. Oduah, Justice James Omotosho issued the order.
Mrs. Oduah, the only defendant in the case, and her attorney weren’t present when the issue was called.
But the drama started when Justice Omotosho questioned Mr. Mohammed about whether the defendant had received service.
The prosecuting attorney informed the court that Mrs. Oduah, who represented Anambra, had been contacted by the investigating police officer, or IPO, in the case.
He added that he resumed at the legal department, Police Headquarters in January.
Justice Omotosho, who inquired further, asked why he signed the charge in June 22 when he was no longer in the anti-graft agency since November 2022.
The lawyer said he mistakenly put the EFCC in Benin as his office while preparing the charge.
NAN observes that the charge has Legal and Prosecuting Department, EFCC, No 1, Court Road, GRA, Benin City as the prosecuting lawyer’s address.
Responding, Justice Omotosho said: “Will a reasonable man believe you? You will go to EFCC and explain this. I will call for investigation of the counsel.
The judge, in a short ruling, ordered Mr Mohammed to be handed over to the anti-corruption agency for thorough investigation.
“in view of the fact that Ibrahim Mohammed signed this charge on June 22, and having admitted that he left EFCC in November, 2022, this court makes an order that EFCC to investigate and report back to the court. counsel shall report to EFCC immediately,” he declared.
The head of the police in FHC, Titus Okuba, led Mohammed out of the courtroom.
On Monday, reported that the EFCC was expected to arraign Oduah before Justice Omotosho today (Tuesday) on allegations bordering on perjury and document falsification.
The ex-lawmaker is being accused of misrepresenting facts about whether or not she participated in the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, and was issued a certificate to that effect.
She was alleged to have falsified documents with which she got into public offices, including being a minister and a senator in the fresh charge.