IgbereTV reports that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2016 governorship election in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and four others will on Thursday, February 13, 2020, be re-arraigned on charges bordering on a N700 million election-related fraud.
Ize-Iyamu and the four other accused persons were earlier arraigned in 2018 before Hon. Justice P. I. Ajoku. But, the trial could not go on due to the transfer of the Judge.
Presently, the case file is in Court 1, Federal High Court, Benin City, before Hon. Justice M. G. Umar, who is the presiding judge of the judicial division.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed charges against the accused persons bordering on illegal receipt of public funds for the purpose of the 2015 general election, contrary to the provisions of the EFCC Act and the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
The EFCC accused the defendants of conspiring among themselves to commit the offence in March 2015. It alleged that they took possession and control of the funds without any contract award.
IgbereTV learnt from a reliable source at the court, that Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the four others are to be re-arraigned on the 13th of February, 2020.
The source who preferred to be anonymous said, “The court case could not go on because the judge who handled the matter earlier was transferred. Now, a new judge, Hon. Justice M. G. Umar has taken over the case, which would come on the stated date.”
Also the accused in the case are: the Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, a former deputy governor, Mr Lucky Imasuen; a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Tony Azegbemi; and one Efe Anthony.
