Lawmaker representing Delta North Senatorial District, Senator Peter Nwaboshi, who is being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged N322m fraud, has written to the Senate to state that he will not be intimidated with the prosecution.
President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, read Nwaoboshi’s letter to the chamber at the plenary on Wednesday.
In the letter, Nwaoboshi thanked the Senate for “standing solidly” behind him during his “ordeal in the hands of the EFCC.”
He said, “As a lawyer, I am conscious of the fact that the matter is now in court and therefore sub judice. I am no longer at liberty to say anything that will be prejudicial to the trial of the case.
“However, I want to assure my colleagues that I have not done anything that would have justified or necessitated the humiliation I was subjected to, (even) as a serving senator of this country.
“This rollback to the dark days of military rule must not be allowed to go on under a democratic dispensation.
“This Senate must rise up and challenge the forces and agents of oppression, tyranny and subjugation.
“I want to assure this Eighth Senate, of which I am a proud member, that I refuse to be cowed or intimidated by anyone. I am confident that I will have my day in court and justice will surely prevail.”
The Federal High Court in Lagos had, last Friday, granted bail on self-recognition to the senator.
Justice Mohammed Idris had instructed him to get two sureties who will each sign a bail bond of N50m within 72 hours.
The lawmaker was also asked to deposit his passport in the custody of the court pending the conclusion of the case.
The judge stressed that Nwaoboshi could not travel out of the country without the court’s permission until the end of the case.
Justice Idris adjourned till June 13 and 20, 2018 for commencement of trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday (today) arraigned Nwaoboshi alongside two firms on two counts bordering on conspiracy and money laundering.
The firms, listed as second and third defendants respectively, are Golden Touch Construction Project Limited and Suiming Electricals Limited.
The EFCC, in the charges, claimed that Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Project Limited purchased a property known as Guinea House, Marine Road, Apapa, Lagos, for N805m between May and June 2014.
The anti-graft agency claimed that N322m out of the N805m, which Nwaoboshi and the firm paid for the property, was part of proceeds of “an unlawful act, to wit: fraud.”
The EFCC alleged that the N322m was transferred to the vendor of the property on the order of Suiming Electricals Limited.
Suiming Electricals Limited was accused of aiding Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Project Limited to commit money laundering on or about May 14, 2014.
The prosecution said the defendants acted contrary to sections 18(a) and 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 and are liable to punishment under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
But upon their arraignment, the defendants pleaded not guilty.
Source: News Agencies
