EFCC vs Former Bayelsa Governor Dickson: Court Gives Verdict on Assets Declaration Case
- The EFCC has been restrained from prosecuting Seriake Dickson, former Bayelsa governor, for alleged corruption
- A Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, has gave the order, holding that Dickson complied with all the constitutional requirements of the CCB in asset declaration
- The former Bayelsa governor and senator representing Bayelsa West had earlier said the corruption allegations against him were frivolous
Yenagoa, Bayelsa state - A Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, has given an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from prosecuting Seriake Dickson, former Bayelsa governor.
The anti-graft agency had previously probed the senator representing Bayelsa West over alleged corruption and abuse of office.
Source: Facebook
He was accused of mismanaging about N1 trillion while he was governor of Bayelsa.
Dickson, however, denied the allegation, saying the petition submitted at the commission’s office against him is “frivolous”.
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He explained:
“For the avoidance of doubts, let me state that my family investments, Seriake Dickson Trust Incorporated, were made between 1996 and 2012 before I became governor.
“These investments were funded by loans and advances and repaid from salaries, allowances, savings and others. One of them is still on mortgage and I have made these documents available to the EFCC.”
Court gives judgement
In a judgment, Isah Dashien, the judge, held the assets acquired with loans, had been declared at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), The Cable reported.
He said:
“Therefore it was contrary to the stipulation of the law for the EFCC to open investigation into assets that were declared over the years before the relevant body, the CCB, and for which the CCB issued verification certificates."
The court affirmed an earlier verdict of the Federal High Court which stated that Senator Dickson had complied with all the constitutional requirements of the CCB in asset declaration, Channels TV also stated.
EFCC places Governor Obiano on watchlist
In other news, the EFCC has placed Willie Obiano, governor of Anambra, on its watchlist.
According to a letter dated November 15 and addressed to the comptroller-general of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the commission asked to be informed whenever Obiano is seen attempting to travel out of the country.
It is not clear why the EFCC placed Obiano on its watchlist.
Source: Legit.ng
