The trial judge issued the warning after the lawyers for Oduah, the first defendant, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), and Crystal Television Limited, the seventh defendant, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), confirmed that efforts were being made to settle the case without holding a trial. Ekwo described the actions of those sending him the private messages as an invasion of his privacy.
Inyang Ekwo, the judge presiding over the N5 billion suit brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against Senator Stella Oduah and others, has warned the parties to the suit to stop sending him private messages.
The trial judge issued the warning after the lawyers for Oduah, the first defendant, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), and Crystal Television Limited, the seventh defendant, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), confirmed that efforts were being made to settle the case without holding a trial. Ekwo described the actions of those sending him the private messages as an invasion of his privacy.
Hence, the judge was quoted by PUNCH saying, “Somebody has been breaching my privacy on this matter by sending me messages concerning this matter saying he is part of a concerned group. I will send security agencies to fish him out. You cannot be intruding into my privacy.”
While berating the act, Ekwo pointed out that his records were open to the public and could be examined by anyone who complied with the law.
Even though the person was a party to the lawsuit, the prosecuting attorney, Dr. Hassan Liman (SAN), who represented the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, also denounced the act, stating that the person had no right to speak with the court.
At the start of the hearing, Liman informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the defendants' formal arraignment in accordance with the order, and that he was ready to begin.
However, in his reply, Ikpeazu stated that they planned to file petitions and that they felt a dialogue with the prosecution was necessary.
Onoja, who represented the 7th defendant, told the court that his client had addressed the anti-graft agency and paid nearly 95% of the money accused in the case.
He stated that the commission's response was pending, and that approximately N80m remained.
Liman confirmed Onoja's account, saying that the counsel wrote to the EFCC to request that the case be dropped.
“I confirm also that Dr Ikpeazu spoke to me this morning,” he added.
The lawyer, however, noted that the defendants must take their plea once the matter had been filed in court.
Noting that he was ready for arraignment, Ekwo said if dialogue failed, the trial could commence and adjourned the matter till June 15 for report or commencement of trial.