Jonathan’s cousin initiates contempt proceedings against Magu

ABUJA — Cousin to former President Goodluck Jonathan,
Azibola Robert, has initiated contempt proceedings against
chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, before an Abuja High
Court, over alleged refusal to release him, having been in

the custody of the commission since March 23, 2016,
despite the order of court for his release.
Trial judge, Justice Olasunbo Goodluck, had on April 7,
2016, after listening to counsel to Robert, Chief Chris Uche,
SAN and Gordy Uche, SAN, ordered the commission to
immediately release  Robert from detention.
But following the refusal to release him, despite the court
order, Robert, through his counsel, initiated contempt
proceeding against Magu.
In the form 48, Magu is being warned of the consequences
of the continued disobedience of the orders of court.
Also, counsel to Roberts, Uche, had in a letter to the EFCC
chairman, regretted that despite being served with the two
orders of the court, the commission had refused to obey the
order and had continued to detain his clients 10 days after
the said court order and in defiance of the court.
Uche said: “This is regrettable, considering the fact that the
government is one that has stated its commitment to
respect for the rule of law and has pledged to prosecute the
war against corruption within the ambit of the rule of law.
"It must also be remembered that it is before the same
courts of this country that your commission arraigns and
will arraign suspects.
“We, therefore, request that you release our clients forthwith
as ordered by the court. Permit us to add  that we shall be
compelled to commence committal proceedings before the
court if the court’s order is not complied with in line with
your commission’s motto that no one is above the law.”
The EFCC had on March 23, arrested Robert over alleged
diversion $40 million through One-Plus Holdings, a sister
company of Kakatar Construction and Engineering Company
Limited, meant for securing oil pipelines.
The payment was said to have been made by the detained
former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki
(retd).
Frustrated by his prolonged detention, Robert, through his
lawyer,  Uche approached the court for the enforcement of
his fundamental rights.
In a motion ex-parte dated and filed on April 5 and brought
pursuant to Order 5 Rules 3 and 4 of the fundamental rights
(Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, Section 35 of the 1999
Constitution (as amended), Uche (SAN) prayed the court to
make “an order granting his client an interim bail, pending
his arraignment before a court of law by the respondent,
EFCC, or pending the determination of the substantive
motion in this suit,” which was granted by the court.