2.29M SCAM WITNESS: THREAT TO LIFE EFCC ALLEGES

A witness brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to testify against former Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim yesterday told Justice Adeniyi Ademola that his life was in danger. Ohakim, who was Imo State governor between 2007 and 2011 is facing a three count charge of money laundering arising from his alleged purchase of house 60, Kwame Nkrumah Street, Plot No 1098, Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, Abuja with cash payment of dollar equivalent of N270m in November 2008. He was also accused of failing to declare the property as part of his assets when asked by EFCC. The prosecution said the offences bordering on cash payment of N270m violated section 15(1) (d) and section 14(1) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004. At the resume hearing yesterday, prosecution counsel, Mr. Festus Keyamo said the EFCC witness, Mr. Abu Sule, who had testified before the court on how he allegedly helped Ohakim to acquire the huge edifice, called him on Monday and informed him about Ohakim’s second son, Emeka, who came to the witness’ office at Asokoro and made enquiries about his (Sule) residential address. Keyamo said: “The witness called me around 9 a.m. yesterday that the second son of the accused person came to his office at Asokoro and made inquiries about the residence address of the witness. “He asked three people, one Itakpo, Okoh (taxi drivers) and one Architect Sola, which they refused to show him. He said he wanted to consult the defence, but that the matter was not the issue of counsel to counsel because the defence cannot protect the witness. “It is the court that can make words of caution to the other party,” Keyamo said. In his reaction, Okakim’s legal team led by Prof. Awa Kalu, SAN, vehemently opposed the allegation raised by Keyamo. Kalu said: “We want to register our approach to an issue that should have been settled somewhere. “I have no doubt that this allegation was meant for the purpose of destabilising the defence. When the court stood down, he had the opportunity to discuss the issue with either the counsel or the father of the son, but he didn’t raise any caution. “In African tradition, when a young boy misconducts himself, the attention of his parents should be drawn to it. “We find this issue very disturbing. It is on record that the PW2 testified on November 2, 2015 and only yesterday, the young man would go and find out the residence of the witness. “Since Keyamo refused to give the defence opportunity to investigate the matter, we urge the court to dismiss this story.” As tempers flared between both parties, Keyamo stood up and loudly said: “I will not sit down and watch him cast denting words against me. I will never treat the issue of threat to life in private. That is my position.” In his intervention over the disagreement that ensured, Justice Ademola said the issue ought to have been brought to his chambers. “Let us adjourn this matter till tomorrow (Wednesday) when tempers are calm at 12 p.m. “Having regard to what transpired in court, this criminal charge is hereby adjourned to January 27 for trial,” Justice Ademola said.