Friday 1 July 2016

$2.29m Property: EFCC Goes After Former Gov Ikedi Ohakim


The court, in a ruling by Justice Ademola Adeniyi, has held that former governor Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, who piloted the affairs of Imo state between May 2007 and May 2011, has a case to answer regarding the charges against him.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola made this order in a ruling on Thursday after dismissing the no-case submission filed by the former governor, against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The charges border on money laundering, abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds.


Justice Adeniyi held that the anti-graft agency successfully established a prima-facie criminal case against the defendant that would warrant him to enter his defence before the court.

The charge against Ohakim arose from his alleged purchase of the property at 60, Kwame Nkrumah Street, Plot No 1098, Cadastral ZoneA04, Asokoro District, Abuja with cash payment of $2.29m which was said to be dollar equivalent of N270m in November 2008.

The property, according to the agency, was acquired with funds the defendant allegedly laundered from Imo state treasury.

He was also accused of failing to declare the property as part of his assets when asked by the EFCC to do so.

The judge fixed October 10 and 13 for Ohakim to open his defence.