Enugu governor-elect not ex-convict, says Ozoani

In response to allegation of criminal convictions, the governor-elect for Enugu State, Peter Mbah, has warned against any plan to disrupt smooth transition in the state.

Mbah, who spoke through his lawyer, Emeka Ozoani, noted he has never been convicted of any crime.

Ozoani said there was never a time Mbah was convicted or a party to any plea bargaining agreement as being alleged by evil-minded people.

He said the allegation was all lies by same people whose mission is to disrupt smooth transition of power in the state.

Speaking with journalists, the lawyer said the allegations levelled against Mbah about being convicted of criminal charges, especially in relation to the charges delineated: FHC/L/230C/2007; FHC/L/09C/200. FRN V Nnamani Chimaroke and 11 others are far from the truth.

He said: “Grievances have been vented in public by sections of those who bitterly said that Mbah, the governor-elect of Enugu State, should not have been allowed to run for office. For them, he is a convict arising from alleged plea-bargaining in the case of FRN Vs Nnamani and 11 others. This is far from the truth and is not even close to being true.

“The governor-elect of Enugu was never involved in either of the two distinct categories of plea-bargaining (charge bargaining or sentence bargaining). He was neither a director nor shareholder of the four legal entities involved in plea bargain.

“I take the leaves from the archives of the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, specifically the records of Justice M.N. Yunusa dated March 7, 2013, and March 7, 2015, respectively.

“There was K.C. Uzozie for the complainant (FRN), Rickey Tarfa, with K.G.B. Oguawgua, A. Shamsudeen, C.O. Chijoke and Uwu Onuwuka for the 1st, 5th and 7th-12th accused persons, Onyechi Ikpeazu with Jones Idu, Charles Udo, Nwankwo Amaechi, N.C. Joy Ozegwu for the 2nd and 4th accused persons, as well as Micheal Iyore with Ifeanyi Ezeogba, Tonia Onabanjo for the 3rd accused person.”

Mbah’s lawyer further stated that the court had discharged second and third defendants.

He added: “After hearing K.C. Uzozie for the complainant, informing the court that they have an application pursuant to Section 163 of the Criminal Procedure Act to amend the charge, and as per the amended charge, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th accused persons be discharged.”