An FCT High Court has granted a non governmental organisation – Incorporated Trustees of Hope Development and Empowerment Foundation – to apply for an order of mandamus compelling the Attorney General of the Federation to order the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, to investigate the wife and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr and Mrs Udo Emmanuel, over an alleged huge withdrawal from state’s accounts.
Granting an ex parte motion filed by the counsel to the applicant, Martin Onyedika Okoye, the court, presided over by Justice O. A. Musa, directed the Attorney General of Federation to immediately ask the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to arrest and investigate Mrs Deaconess Martha Udo Emmanuel.
In the suit, No. FCT/HC/BW/M/25/2018, has Government of Akwa Ibom State, Attorney General of the Federation and Her Excellency Deaconess Martha Udo Emmanuel as the first, second and third defendant.
A true certified copy of the order, dated Dec. 7, 2018, cited by this paper, granted leave to the “applicant to apply for an order of mandamus, compelling the second defendant/ respondent through the anti-corruption agency, under his supervision, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately arrest and investigate the third defendant/respondent (Mrs Emmanuel) and every other person involved in the mindless looting of the Treasury of the first defendant/respondent especially in relation to the huge cash withdrawals (amounting to over seven billion naira) on the first defendant/respondent’s Zenith Bank account numbers: 1014539562, 1014358342, 1014358342, and 1014317094, and deposit the outcome of investigation with the registry of this Honourable court within one month of the making of this court’s order.
“An order of this Honourable court granting leave to the applicant to apply for an order of mandamus compelling the second defendant/respondent through the anti-corruption agency under his control and supervision, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately commence the investigation of the third defendant/respondent of Mr.Udo Emmanuel, the executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State for his roles in the unlawful multiple cash withdrawals on the first defendant/respondent’s Zenith Bank Account Numbers 1014539562, 1014358342, and 1014317094, and to arrest and prosecute him immediately upon ceasing to be the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
“An order of this Honourable count granting leave to the cliamant to serve the first, second, third defendants/respondents herein with the originating processes in this suit (including exparte order) by leaving same with any staff or clerk at Akwa Ibom State Liason Office, located on Plot 816zAhmadu Bello Way, Central Business District, Abuja”.