S’Court fixes date to rule on Amaechi’s alleged N96bn fraud probe

The Supreme Court has slated May 27, 2022 to deliver judgment in a former Rivers State governor and Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi’s suit, seeking to stop his probe in the alleged N96 billion fraud and alleged fraudulent sales of valued assets belonging to Rivers State.

A seven-man panel of the apex court led by Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, announced the judgment date on Monday after listening to arguments in the suit.

Amaechi, in the suit, is asking the court to prohibit Governor Nyesom Wike from investigating his eight-year tenure as governor of the state.

The former governor, represented by the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Lateef Fagbemi, based his opposition to be probed on the argument that it was aimed at witch-hunting and embarrassing him, especially in view of his political differences with his successor.

On the other hand, Wike is praying the Supreme Court to dismiss Amaechi’s suit.

Wike, represented by Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), maintained that the Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice George Omekeji was to look into how N96 billion was allegedly withdrawn from the treasury of the state government and how it was expended.

Wike further said that the commission of inquiry was to look into the lawful or otherwise, sales of valuable assets of the state.

The listed valuable assets are Omoku Gas Turbine, Afam Gas Turbine, Trans Amadi Gas Turbine, Eleme Gas Turbine, Olympia Hotel, and the award of contract for the execution of monorail project.

Amaechi had run to the Supreme Court after his suit were dismissed at the High Court of Rivers State and Court of Appeal.