Court To Decide Rotimi Ameachi’s Verdict On N96b Fraud

Political associates and friends of former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, have stormed the Supreme Court to know the presidential aspirant’s fate on alleged N96 billion fraud labelled against him (Amaechi).

 

There is much anxiety today in Amaechi’s camp as the Supreme Court is expected to give its verdict in a suit by the former Rivers State Governor, seeking to halt his probe into alleged N96B fraud and fraudulent sales of valued assets belonging to his home state, Truetells Nigeria reports.

Amaechi is currently engaged in the political terrain as he seeks to clinch the All Progressives Congress, APC’s 2023 presidential ticket to further his bid to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari come 2023.

Truetells Nigeria understands that Amaechi is one of the leading presidential aspirants on the platform of the ruling APC.

The politician would, however, have to battle hard to stop his successor, Nyesom Wike from causing him to appear before a probe panel to investigate his eight years tenure of office.

The notice was observed to have been served on Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, who is leading a team of lawyers for Amaechi, while that of Rivers State was delivered to Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, for Wike.

Truetells Nigeria understands that Amaechi wants the apex court to prohibit Governor Wike from proceeding with the 7-man Commission of Inquiry already put in place.

Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who led a 7-man panel of Justices of the Court had fixed today for the judgment after taking arguments for and against the suit.

Amaechi predicated his opposition to the probe on the ground that it was aimed at witch-hunting him, embarrassing him, humiliating and disgracing him, in view of his political differences with his successor.

Wike who on the other hand constituted the 7-man probe panel to probe Amaechi is asking the Supreme Court to dismiss Amaechi’s suit.

The sitting Governor insisted that the Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice George Omekeji was to look into how N96B was allegedly withdrawn from the treasury of the state government and how it was expended. Wike also said that the Commission of Inquiry was to look into the lawful or otherwise sales of valuable assets of the State.

The listed valuable assets are Omoku Gas Turbine, Afam Gas Turbine, Trans Amadi Gas Turbine, Eleme Gas Turbine, Olympia Hotel and the award of contract for the execution of Mono Rail Project.

Truetells Nigeria recalls that Amaechi’s suit at the High Court of Rivers State and Court of Appeal had earlier been dismissed, prompting his coming to Supreme Court for remedy.