…Urges court not to release $9.7m
Oscarline Onwuemenyi
09 March 2017, Sweetcrude, Abuja – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told a Federal High Court in Abuja, that a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engr. Andrew Yakubu, cannot be released on bail for now because he has series of corruption allegations to respond to in relation to his former official position.
The anti-graft agency told the court that apart from the $9,772,800 and another 74,000 pounds found in his Kaduna house, Yakubu is being held in connection with several cases of corruption brought against him while he held sway as the NNPC boss.
In a counter-affidavit filed in the court to oppose the enforcement of his fundamental rights suit filed against the EFCC, Yakubu was said to be under-going interrogations in other corruption allegations against him.
In the counter affidavit deposed to by one Waziri Adamu Nitte, the EFCC pleaded with the court not to order the release of the applicant in the interest of justice.
The counter-affidavit indicated that the search conducted in Yakubu’s house last month was backed with a valid court order.
The anti-graft agency also averred that contrary to the claim of the applicant the huge foreign currencies found in his house were not gifts but proceeds of crime.
The EFCC said at the time Yakubu was GMD of NNPC, he was a public officer and there were existing laws that barred public officers from accepting that kind of gifts under any guise.
The EFCC further urged the court to disregard the application on the grounds that it was a ploy by the applicant to frustrate investigation into the matter, adding that the applicant would not be prejudiced by the refusal of this application.
However, Yakubu has approached the Abuja division of the Federal High Court for the enforcement of his fundamental rights.
In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/126/2017 filed on February 20, 2017, by his counsel, Ahmed Raji, the applicant is seeking an order of court directing his immediate release by the EFCC or admitting him to bail on liberal terms to enable him travel overseas for a medical treatment.
The applicant is also seeking an order restraining the respondents both jointly and/or severally, from further detaining him unlawfully, whether for reasons of suspicion or on account of any purported investigation with respect to the allegations wherewith he was detained by the EFCC in breach of his rights to personal liberty, dignity of human person, freedom of movement, private and family life, as enshrined under sections 34(1), (4) and (5), 37 and 41 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The former GMD is also asking the court to compel the respondents to pay him the sum of N1billion as general damages and compensation for the violation of his rights enshrined under the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
