A Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Maitama, has adjourned to December 8, for the commencement of trial of Mrs Chinyere Amuchienwa Igwegbe, an Abuja based businesswoman sued by a former Governor of Imo State, Dr Ikedi Ohakim.
Dr Ohakim had dragged Chinyere before Justice Halilu Yusuf, over allegations bordering on the threat to life, criminal intimidation and blackmail.
The former governor claimed that the accused unlawfully furnished the police with false information against the former governor and one Chinedu Okpareke.
At a resumed sitting on Thursday, the trial was stalled due to “conflicting letters before the court”.
Mrs Racheal Dimka, the police counsel informed the court that the matter was for the prosecution to open its case against the defendant.
The former Governor was in court to lead evidence.
However, Dimka said she was served said a letter “purportedly written by the office of the Director of Public Prosecution to take over the case.
Similarly, the prosecution lawyer told the court that there was another letter from the office of the AGF refuting the claim that the AGF has taken over the case.
“My Lord, we urge the court to discountenance the said letter, Dimka.
At this juncture, the Judge demanded an explanation from the office of the AGF but none of the officials was present at the court.
In view of the foregoing, Justice Yusuf confirmed receiving letters, which he described as “two heavy letters, one from the AGF, saying he has taken over the case, and the order refuting the claim.
However, the police lawyer insisted before the court that the author of the letter should be investigated.
Reacting, Ifeanyi Nweze, counsel to the defendant, told the court that a similar scenario played out at the Federal High Court Abuja, and at the end of the day, the court held that the AGF has unfettered power to take over any case before judgement is given.
Faced with the challenge, the court asked parties to go back and resolve the issue, consequently adjourned to December 8, for the prosecution to open its case against the defendant.
The Police are prosecuting Amuchienwa for providing false information in a petition she wrote against Dr Ohakim.
She was arraigned on July 22, and later granted bail.
Ruling on her bail application moved by Ifeanyi Nweze, the court directed that the accused must provide two sureties who are reputable Nigerians and residents within the Federal Capital Territory.
The court held that the sureties must provide verifiable addresses.
More so, the court ordered that the accused must deposit her international passport to the registry of the court and must not travel out without the court’s approval.
Chinyere had in a petition to the IGP, accused Ohakim of conspiracy, criminal intimidation, defamation of character, attempted kidnapping and threat to her life.
After investigation, the police claimed the allegations were unsubstantiated and false.
Although the police arrested the former governor and filed criminal charges against him, however, Amuchienwa was later arrested when it was found out that allegations in her petition were mere blackmail.
Amuchienwa was specifically arraigned on a four-count charge marked CR/187/2021, which partly reads, “That you Chinyere Amuchienwa Igwegbe ‘F’ of 7B Emelda Estate Apo, Abuja, in August 2020 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did furnish police authorities with false information and via allegations in a petition by your solicitors, AGALA & AGALA Chambers to a public servant against Dr Ikedi Ohakim and Chinedu Okpareke on allegations of criminal conspiracy, criminal intimidation, defamation of character, attempted kidnapping and threat to life, punishable with imprisonment, which could not be substantiated and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code Laws of Northern Nigeria.