$2.29m property: Ohakim has case to answer, EFCC tells court

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.

Ghen Ghen!!!