ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Justice Inyang Ekwo of Abuja Federal High Court, has warned those sending him private messages in the N5 billion suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Senator Stella Oduah and others to desist from intruding into his privacy.
The judge gave the warning on Monday after counsel for Oduah (1st defendant), Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) and that of Crystal Television Ltd (7th defendant), Chief Ogwu Onoja (SAN), informed him that moves were ongoing to resolve the matter without going through trial.
Justice Ekwo said: “Somebody has been breaching my privacy on this matter by sending me messages concerning this matter saying he is part of a concerned group.
“I will send security agencies to fish him out. You cannot be intruding into my privacy.”
Condemning the act, Justice Ekwo said his records were public documents that could be assessed by anybody after the public laws had been complied with.
Responding, the prosecuting counsel, Dr. Hassan Liman (SAN) who appeared for the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) also condemned the act, saying even if the person was a party in the suit, he had no right to communicate with the judge.
Liman had earlier when the proceeding commenced, told the court that the matter was slated for the formal arraignment of the defendants pursuant to the order made on the last adjourned date.
He said he was ready to proceed.
Ikpeazu, however, said there were applications they planned to file and that they felt discussion should be had on it with the prosecution.
Onoja, who represented the 7th defendant, also informed the court that his client had approached the anti-graft agency and paid almost 95 per cent of the money alleged in the case.
“We are waiting for the commission’s response and about N80 million is remaining,” he said.
Liman admitted that it was true that counsel for the 7th defendant wrote to the EFCC, seeking the discontinuance of the matter.
“I confirm also that Dr. Ikpeazu spoke to me this morning,” he said.
The lawyer, who said that the matter was filed since 2020 said though he agreed that there was a reconciliation move, he however argued that the defendants must take their plea once the matter had been filed in court.
Justice Ekwo, who said he was ready for the arraignment, said it would be better to dialogue with the defendants and if that failed, the trial could commence.
He consequently adjourned the matter till 15 June for report or commencement of trial.