SAN FRANCISCO, June 11, (THEWILL) – A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Monday, ordered that court papers be served on the Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, over a list of alleged looters he released.
THEWILL recalls that two sets of alleged looters list were published by Mohammed containing names of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members and allies who worked with the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
However, Ferdinand Orbih, counsel to ex-minister Nenadi Usman, one of those named by Mohammed filed an application in court challenging the inclusion of his client’s name in the list and accusing the minister of contempt of court.
Usman is facing corruption charges alongside a former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, and Yusuf Danjuma, a former chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
They are accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of N4.6 billion fraud.
Informing the court of Mohammed’s action, Orbih told the court that his application was brought in pursuant to the provisions of the Sheriffs and Civil Processes Act as well as the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules.
He said his application was seeking leave of the court, to serve a motion on notice, on Mr Mohammed, over alleged acts of contempt as the minister had published a list of looters some weeks back, and had named the first accused (Ms Usman) as number 19 on that list.
According to Orbih, the defence views such act very seriously, as it is an attempt to interfere with the proceedings before the court, and portray the first accused as already guilty of the charges preferred.
He, therefore, urged the court to grant the exparte application enabling the defence to serve the said motion on notice on the minister in Abuja, by substituted means, as personal service may not be feasible.
In a short ruling, Justice Mohammed Aikawa held: “I have perused the application including the supporting affidavits and I am satisfied that the application ought to be granted.
“The application is granted save that it should be served on his confidential Secretary in Abuja,” he said
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