The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, gave an order for the Attorney General of Edo State, Oluwole Uzzi, to receive the court originating processes on behalf of the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki in a corruption-related case.
The case with suit number FHC/Abj/CS/./2023 was filed by Adaze Andrew Emwanta, against the Inspector General of Police, Obaseki and there others.
In August 2023, Obaseki had through his lawyers written to Emwanta that he was going to bring civil and criminal charges against him if he did not do a retraction of a media interview on AiT Democracy Today TV programme, where he alleged the Governor had an interest in Azura power plant.
Obaseki’s lawyers in their letter to Emwanta made several deductions, including allegations of corruption and fraud against the person of the governor.
On August 28, 2023, Emwanta via a fundamental rights enforcement application secured a court order from the Federal High Court Abuja, ordering Obaseki to show cause why the reliefs sought by Emwanta should not be granted.
Since then Obaseki and one Bala Audu, his ADC who was also sued as a respondent have been evading service of the court process and the order to show cause.
At the resumed hearing which was for report of service both the Attorney General and the Applicant appeared in person.
The court after hearing the application for substituted service, directed the applicant to file a further affidavit to specify the proper designation for service, which is the Edo Liaison office Abuja.
Also, the Judge requested the Attorney General to receive the court processes to be served on the Governor on his behalf, since he was in court.
The court then ordered the Applicant to serve the Governor in open court through the Attorney General.
In the Originating Motion, Emwanta who is the Applicant is asking for several reliefs, including an order of court to restrain the Respondents, including the Governor of Edo State from harassing him.
The application is supported by a statement of facts and a 33-paragraph affidavit.
In paragraphs 9, 10 and 11 of the said affidavit, Emwanta said that on 6 November 2019 Obaseki in his capacity as Governor of Edo State had solicited his services to be his spokesperson on certain tv stations, including AiT, during the period he had a political feud with Adams Oshiomhole who at the time was the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress.
In paragraph 11 of the said affidavit he deposed that “…consideration of my services to him as his spokespersons, the 2nd Respondent gave me the sum of Ten Thousand US dollars ($10,000), in cash, at the end of our meeting in his office. In paragraph 12 of the affidavit Emwanta provided details of the lodgement of the foreign currency he received from Obaseki, including a domiciliary bank account statement with evidence of the exact amount of money and date.
The matter was adjourned by the judge to March 19 for report of service.
