The application by the former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Maurice Iwu, seeking the transfer of his N1.23bn fraud trial from Lagos to Abuja has been rejected.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos dismissed the application on Friday, saying it lacked merit.
Giving reasons for dismissing the application, the judge said most of the witnesses by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were in Lagos and that some are retired. He added that for the sake of justice, the trial would proceed in Lagos.
Professor Iwu’s lawyer, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), had asked that the case be transferred to Abuja on the basis of his client’s old age and that most of the transactions which birthed the trial took place in Abuja.
“My Lord, this defendant is over 70 years of age and he always travels down to Lagos and books a hotel whenever this matter comes up. It will amount to great agony for him to continue with this trial in Lagos.” Mr. Raji said.
The request was opposed by the prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo.
Professor Iwu was arraigned by the EFCC on four counts of laundering N1.23 billion before the 2015 general elections. The anti-graft agency said between December 2014 and March 2015, Mr. Iwu concealed the money in a United Bank for Africa account owned by Bioresources Institute of Nigeria Limited. This the EFCC said was contrary to sections 18(a) and 15 (2) (a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 and was liable to be punished under Section 15(3) of the same act. The former INEC Chairman pleaded not guilty.
Justice Oweibo adjourned till April 28 for trial.
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