Court bars Obaseki from arresting, prosecuting Oshiomhole

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday stopped the Edo state government and Governor Godwin Obaseki from arresting and prosecuting the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who was indicted of corrupt malpractices by a panel of inquiry.

Governor Obaseki, who took over from Oshiomhole was to act on a report and white paper that emanated from Justice J. Oyomire panel which indicted Oshiomhole of corrupt practices while in office.

The panel in the white paper had recommended the arrest and prosecution of the APC national chairman.

But, Oshiomhole in an ex-parte motion, through his lawyer, Mr. West Idahosa, asked the court to stop his arrest and prosecution on account of the white paper.

However, the state government, through it’s lawyer, Mr. Alex Ejeiseme (SAN), filed a preliminary objection to stop the ex-parte order from being granted.

Besides the Edo state government, other respondents are the attorney- general and commissioner for justice of Edo state, Justice J. Oyomire, the inspector general of police and the Department of State Services (DSS).

Justice Ahmed Mohammed, after listening to parties in the case ordered respondents in the matter to stay action in respect of the case pending the determination of the issue of jurisdiction.

Ejeiseme had earlier objected to the hearing of the case by the court on the ground that the court has no jurisdiction to hear the matter.

In his ruling after listening to parties in the matter, the court held,:”An interim order is hereby made restraining the prosecution of the applicant pursuant to the report submitted to the first to third respondents or any white paper, pendingvthe determination of the issue of jurisdiction raised in the first to fourth respondents notice of preliminary objection.”

The court also directed Oshiomhole’s counsel to serve all the respondents his processes within 48 hours.

The case has been adjourned to June 17.

Obaseki, who is vying to contest for a second term as governor, has been in a running battle with Oshiomhole over several issues in the state including who bears the APC governorship ticket.