Share this on:
 E-mail
13
VIEWS
 
RECOMMENDS
0
SHARES
About this iReport
  • Not vetted for CNN

  • Click to view unclaimed's profile
    Posted January 5, 2013 by
    unclaimed

    More from unclaimed

    ASSETS SEIZURE: GOV TIMIPRE SYLVA BEGS COURT TO STOP EFCC .... This is a funny country indeed.

     

    By Ikechukwu Nnochiri   ABUJA – Spirited efforts by the embattled former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, to invoke the powers of a Federal High Court in Abuja with a view to stopping the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from taking possession of his 48 choice properties in Abuja, failed.   Sequel to resolve of the anti-graft agency on Thursday to take possession of Sylva’s properties pending the determination of the six-count criminal charge it preferred against him, the embattled former governor Friday, ran before the high court, begging it to restrain the EFCC from touching his assets.   This was even as the Commission accused the ex-Governor of deliberately attempting to subject the judiciary to ridicule by approaching the high court for a restraining order despite being aware that another high court of the same coordinate jurisdiction had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order against him. One of the seized property.   Whereas Justice A.R Mohammed had on December 21, 2012, granted the EFCC leave to seize the properties, however, Justice M.M Kolo while sitting as a vacation judge, on December 27, following an application by Sylva, granted a restraining order against the anti-graft agency.   Consequently, both the EFCC and the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, Friday, entered preliminary objections querying the legal propriety of the subsequent order that was issued in favour of the ex-Governor.   Arguing in court Friday, counsel to the EFCC and AGF, Mr Oghenovo Otemu and B.A Saheed, respectively, further challenged the jurisdiction of the high court presided by Justice Kolo to entertain Sylva’s suit.   Though Sylva had through his counsel, Mr Benson Ibezim, insisted that the preliminary objections filed against his suit were not ripe for hearing since the processes were served on him inside the court room, saying he would need time to respond, however, EFCC, urged the court to allow for an oral argument so as to save the judiciary from mockery owing to the two conflicting orders.   EFCC maintained that the accused ex-Governor ought to have vacated the interim forfeiture order earlier issued against him before securing a conflicting order from another court of same coordinate jurisdiction.   Nevertheless, in a bid to justify his action, Sylva, told the court that the EFCC did not serve the said forfeiture order on him hence his decision to seek for a restraining order.   In response, EFCC, told the court that the December 21 order was pasted on all the affected properties and that it was also served on Sylva himself, insisting that the former Governor hoodwinked the court into granting him ex-parte order by deliberately suppressin

    • TAGS:

    What do you think of this story?

    Select one of the options below. Your feedback will help tell CNN producers what to do with this iReport. If you'd like, you can explain your choice in the comments below.
    Be and editor! Choose an option below:
      Awesome! Put this on TV! Almost! Needs work. This submission violates iReport's community guidelines.

    Comments

    Log in to comment

    iReport welcomes a lively discussion, so comments on iReports are not pre-screened before they post. See the iReport community guidelines for details about content that is not welcome on iReport.

    Add your Story Add your Story