Ohakim’s arraignment shifted as AGF moves to take over case

Planned arraignment of former governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, originally fixed to take place yesterday at Federal High Court, Abuja, has been moved to May 6.

The development followed plans by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to take over prosecution of Ohakim from the police.

Ohakim is being accused of harassing and threatening the life of one Mrs. Chinyere Amuchienwa and is consequently to be charged to court on five counts.

The court fixed the arraignment for yesterday but when the matter was called, a lawyer from the office of the AGF, Bagudu Sani, told the court that the AGF had taken over the case by a letter dated March 17, which he said, had been served on Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Counsel to police, R. F Dimka, however, raised objection to the development on the ground that the charges levelled against the former governor were prepared by the office of the IGP, whom she said, was the complainant in the case.

The trial judge, Justice Taiwo Taiwo, told the court that he had taken judicial notice of the letter. He asked the counsel to file the letter formally before the court.

The judge consequently deferred the arraignment of Ohakim to May 6, to enable parties file and serve written addresses on the propriety or otherwise of the AGF taking over the case from police.

Ohakim and one Chinedu Okpareke were dragged before the Federal High Court by the police over allegations of threatening and harassing Amuchienwa.

Ohakim has been on police administrative bail since November 11, 2020.

According to the charge, Ohakim and Okpareke allegedly threatened to release a nude photograph of Amuchienwa if she fails to drop charges of attempted kidnap against them.

The police are alleging that Ohakim and Okpareke, knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication through a computer system to harass and bully Amuchienwa, an offence that is punishable under Section 24(1)(a) of the Cybercrime Act 2015.