By Marcus Ikechukwu
The Supreme Court, on Friday, passed a judgement in favour of the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi.
Amaechi, who is also a presidential aspirant under the All Progressive Congress had approached the Court, seeking to stop his probe instituted by the Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike.
But in its ruling on Friday, the Apex Court submitted that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Rivers state government was a mere investigative body, adding that neither Rotimi Amaechi nor anybody was on trial before the panel set up by Wike.
Recall that Wike after assuming office as Governor had instituted a seven-man panel to probe Amaechi over alleged withdrawal of N96 billion from the state’s treasury during his tenure as governor.
Among the assets alleged to have been fleeced by Amaechi include Omoku Gas Turbine, Afam Gas Turbine, Trans Amadi Gas Turbine, Eleme Gas Turbine, Olympia Hotel, and the contract award for the execution of Mono Rail Project.
Amaechi had approached the apex court to prohibit Wike from investigating his eight-year tenure as the executive governor of the state.
The former governor represented by Lateef Fagbemi predicated his opposition to the probe on the ground that it was aimed at witch-hunting him, embarrassing him, humiliating him and to as well disgrace him in view of his political differences with his successor.
However, delivering judgment on Friday, a seven-member apex court panel dismissed the appeal on the ground that the probe does not amount to prosecution court that the “panel is not competent to indict Amaechi”.
Adamu Jauro who read the lead judgment in the Amaechi’s suit said: “The appeal fails as it lacks merit.”
The court also asked the former minister to pay the respondents N1 million.
