Court orders EFCC to probe police lawyer in ‘felony’ suit against Stella Oduah

A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the arrest and investigation of Ibrahim Mohammed, a prosecution lawyer in a suit filed against Stella Oduah, former minister of aviation.

The federal government had preferred an eight-count charge against Oduah.

The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/275/23 was filed before a federal high court in Abuja on June 26.

All the charges against the former minister bother on the allegation that she lied on oath which amounts to a felony.

It is alleged that Oduah falsely claimed to have lost her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate to support her eligibility to contest elections and occupy public office.

At the court session on Tuesday, Mohammed announced an appearance for Nigeria police.

He told the judge that the defendant did not make an appearance because the police could not serve her the court process.

James Omotosho, the presiding judge, then asked the lawyer to confirm if he was the one that signed the charge.

The lawyer had signed the charge as a member of the legal and prosecution department of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

However, in a written address attached in support of the case, he identified himself as the head of the inspector general of police (IGP) monitoring unit, Nigeria police force headquarters, Abuja. 

Responding to the judge’s inquiry, Mohammed said he was seconded to the EFCC but redeployed back to the police in November 2022.

The prosecution counsel told the court that he resumed at the legal department of police headquarters in January 2023, adding that he mistakenly put the EFCC, Benin as his office while preparing the charge.

“It was a mistake, sir. I mistakenly put EFCC Benin on the charge,”  he said.

However, not satisfied with the explanation, Omotosho ordered an investigation.

“How will any reasonable man believe you?” the judge asked.

“You will go to EFCC and explain. Let us investigate this matter. I call for an investigation.

“In view of the fact that Ibrahim Mohammed signed the charge and having admitted that he left EFCC in November 2022, this court hereby makes an order, directing the EFCC to investigate and report back to the court. 

“Counsel shall report to EFCC immediately.”

Immediately after the court proceedings ended, Mohammed was led to the EFCC by armed security operatives attached to the court.