Justice Ahmed Mohammed of a federal high court sitting in Abuja, has stopped the Edo State Government and Governor Godwin Obaseki, from arresting and prosecuting All Progressives Congress, APC, Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, over indictment in a white paper submitted to the state government.
A panel of inquiry set up by the state government and headed by Justice J. Oyomire, had in a white paper indicted Oshiomhole of corruption.
The panel in the white paper recommended the APC National Chairman for arrest and prosecution.
Oshiomhole had in an Exparte motion, through his lawyer, Mr. West Idahosa, asked the court to stop his arrest and prosecution on account of the white paper.
But the Edo Government, through their lawyer, Mr. Alex Ejeiseme, SAN, rushed to the court with a preliminary objection to stop the exparte order from being granted.
Apart from the Edo state government, other respondents are Attorney- General and Commissioner of Justice of Edo state, Justice J. Oyomire, the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services.
Justice Mohammed, after listening to parties in the case ordered respondents in the matter to stay action in respect of the case pending the determination of the issue of jurisdiction.
Ejeiseme had earlier objected to the hearing of the case by the court on the ground that the court has no jurisdiction to hear the matter.
In his ruling after listening to parties in the matter, the court held, ”An interim order is hereby made restraining the prosecution of the applicant pursuant to the report submitted to the 1st to3rd respondents or any white paper, pendingvthe determination of the issue of jurisdiction raised in the 1st to 4th respondents notice preliminary objection”.
The court also directed Oshiomhole’s counsel to serve all the respondents his processes within 48 hours.
The case has been adjourned to June 17, 2020.
