A Federal High Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State has restrained Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, and a panel from probing former Secretary to the State Government, Prof Bernard Odoh, for alleged N2 billion agric loan scam.
Justice Tijjani Ringim ruled on Friday on an ex-parte motion filed by Odoh against the governor and seven members of the panel of enquiry.
Also joined in the suit as first respondent is the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Odoh is asking the court to mandate the anti-graft agency to probe Mr Umahi and others named in a petition he wrote alleging financial crimes relating to the 2016 agric loan borrowed from the Central Bank of Nigeria by the state government.
“That leave of this Honourable Court is granted to the Applicant to bring application for Judicial Review (Order of Mandamus) compelling the 1st Respondent (EFCC) to carry out her statutory duties as provide for under sections 1(2) and 6 (b) (h) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) 2004, by investigating the Applicant, 2nd Respondent (Ebonyi governor) and any other persons involved in the petition of the applicant on the financial crimes relating to the 2016 N2bn Central Bank of Nigeria loan for Ebonyi State,” the judge said.
Odoh and Umahi have been enmeshed in a media war, both accusing each other of corruption.
Odoh resigned his appointment in 2018 citing certain irreconcilable differences with the governor.
