EFCC files petition against judge for approving Obiano’s travel abroad request

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says it has sent a petition to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court against Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa of the Awka division over his order that former Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano be allowed to travel abroad.

In statement by the commission’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC asked Nganjiwa to recuse himself in the case.

The EFCC said Nganjiwa had granted Obiano’s request that the EFCC should not arrest him before he handed over to Prof Charles Soludo as the governor of Anambra.

“Available court documents indicate that Obiano had on March 11, 2022, ahead of his handover on March 17 filed a motion ex parte dated March 10, 2022, before Justice Nganjiwa praying among others, for an interim injunction stopping the EFCC from arresting or preventing him from travelling out of the country for his medical treatment.

‘’While the court in one breath ordered the applicant to put the commission on notice on why interim preservatory order should not be granted, it went ahead to make an order that the commission should not obstruct, impede or prevent the applicant from travelling abroad to keep his medical appointment and adjourned till March 23.

‘’On March 31, the commission was served an originating motion on notice for the enforcement of the applicant’s fundamental rights. Curiously, the motion was filed on March 11, 2022, the same date as the motion for ex parte order.

This was followed by another motion on notice on April 4, putting the commission on notice to release Obiano’s passport to enable him to travel abroad for his medicals with hearing fixed for April 6, and instructions that proceedings shall be conducted virtually via Zoom.’’

Ahead of the hearing, the EFCC said it petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court asking Nganjiwa to recuse himself from the fundamental rights action on the grounds that he is a party in the commission’s appeal at the Supreme Court in the corruption case, H. A. Nganjiwa vs FRN.

‘’But when the case was called, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba held the brief of his brother judge, who is bereaved. The case was subsequently adjourned, with instruction that counsel will be notified of the adjourned date,’’ the commission explained.