An Enugu High Court presided over by Hon. Justice N.N Nebo has struck out a case by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against a former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Anike Development Centre in Enugu State, Barrister Enekwechi Raymond Onyimba.
The case was struck out following the inability of the prosecution, N.A. Ekwu to pursue the matter after four years it was instituted.
“Counsel for the prosecution, N. A Ekwu, had told the court that he could not get witnesses to testify against the acussed, thus leaving the matter at the discretion of the court.
The court therefore, struck out the matter for lack of evidence and discharged and acquitted the accused.
“Pursuant to Section 195 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Enugu State 2017, the charge is hereby struck out and the accused person is hereby discharged,” the court held.
EFCC had in 2014, arraigned Onyimba before the High Court on a two count charge of criminal diversion of funds and obtaining money by false pretense.
The anti -graft agency had accused him of selling a landed property located at plot 622, Trans-Ekulu, New GRA, Enugu to one Enyinnaya Igwe but withheld the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to the property valued at N30 million and used the said C of O as collateral to secure a loan for his company, Ojaz Nigeria Limited.
Later in an interview with newsmen, Onyimba described his trial as politically-motivated.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain said he was a victim of political war but thanked God that a court of competent jurisdiction had acquitted him at last.
Tracing the origin of his ordeal, the legal luminary said his persecution started when he aspired to run for the chairmanship of Awgu Local Government Area.
Chief Onyimba said those who were opposed to his political ambition went to EFCC and trumped up the charge just to scuttle his ambition.
“All these happened because I aspired to be a local government chairman. They now ran to the EFCC and I was unjustly detained for several days, after which this charge was slammed on me. But I thank God that I have been acquitted “.
Onyimba said it was unfortunate that he was framed up and made to undergo such process simply because of his political ambition.
He decried politics of bitterness and acrimony, saying that the use of government agencies as instruments of oppression against the opposition or perceived political enemies poses serious threat to the Nigeria democracy.
The PDP chieftain counseled politicians to eschew politics of vendetta and pull -him down syndrome.
“That is why I am calling on all the political actors that as we go into the general elections, they should not create undue tension and animosity merely because of their crave for power.
“On our side as members of the PDP in Enugu State, we have continued to ensure that all our actions and words are guided by the dictates of the constitution and the Electoral Act. That is what it is supposed to be.”
End
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