– Emeka Ohakim, the son of former governor of Imo state, Ikedi Ohakim, who is facing charges of corruption, threatened a witness in the trial.
– Ohakim is being prosecuted by the EFCC for allegedly making a cash payment of $2, 290,000.00.
– Ohakim’s counsel described the claim by the prosecution counsel as frivolous and dramatic.
The cross-examination of prosecution witness, Abu Sule in the case involving former Imo state governor, Ikedi Ohakim, was stalled on on Tuesday, January 26, as prosecution counsel, Festus Keyamo, revealed how the accused’s son, Emeka Ohakim, had allegedly went on the trail of the prosecution witness.
Ohakim, who was the state’s governor between 2007 and 2011, was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives on June 18 at his residence in Asokoro, Abuja, after he failed to turn up as requested by the commission.
He is being prosecuted by the commission for allegedly making a cash payment of $2, 290,000.00( Two Million, Two Hundred and Ninety-Thousand Dollars) for a piece of land at Plot No. 1098 Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, otherwise known as No. 60, Kwame Nkuruma Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
Keyamo addressing Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, said the PW2, Sule, managing director, Tweenex Consociate H.D. Limited, called him at about 9.00p.m. on Monday, January 25, saying that Emeka Ohakim, had gone to Sule’s office at Asokoro to inquire about his home address from some individuals.
He stated that three individuals, identified as Okon (a driver), Akpabor (a driver) and Shola (an architect), corroborated the witness’ claim.
The defence counsel, urged the court to dismiss the story as frivolous, said the prosecution could file an application on the matter as he had mentioned to the court.
Justice Adeniyi, who was disturbed about the allegation after listening to both counsel, said there was no harm if the prosecution had hinted the defendant and his counsels about the incident.
The defence counsel further told the court that the prosecution had failed to handle the matter properly, adding that his action was not in consonance with a traditional belief that says an elder should report any act of misconduct by a child to his father.
However, Justice Adeniyi adjourned the case to Wednesday, January 27, for continuation of trial.
The witness, Abu Sule, had earlier claimed that the ex-governor forced him to work as a proxy to buy N270 million apartments in Abuja. The money for the house purchase was provided by Ohakim but the property was registered in Sule’s name.
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