Eric Ikhilae, Abuja
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice to take over the prosecution of former Imo State Governor Ikedi Ohakim for alleged cybercrime-related offences.
In a ruling yesterday, Justice Taiwo Taiwo held that the AGF has the power to prosecute criminal offences on behalf of the Federal Government.
He rejected move by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to discontinue the case, saying the notice filed by the police was without merit. The judge held that where issues have been joined in a criminal matter, a notice of discountenance is brought by way of motion on notice.
Justice Taiwo also held that the court cannot give effect to the notice of discountenance filed by the police.
He adjourned till October 21 for Ohakim’s arraignment on the charge the police filed against him.
The police accused Ohakim and one of his aides, Chinedu Okpareke, of threatening to release nude photographs of Chinyere Amuchienwa, if she failed to drop charges of attempted kidnap she levelled against them.
The police accused Ohakim and Okpareke of knowingly and intentionally transmitting 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.