The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has disowned a police lawyer, Ibrahim Mohammed, who filed criminal charges against former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Adaeze Oduah. The anti-graft agency made it clear to the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday that Mohammed was not authorized to initiate the charges against Oduah.
EFCC’s counsel, Heleen Okonofua, revealed that Mohammed had been de-seconded from the EFCC back to the Police on November 4, 2022, and since then, had no involvement with the agency. Thus, the criminal charge filed by Mohammed in the name of EFCC on June 22, 2023, lacked authority and approval from the agency.
Justice James Omotoso had previously questioned Mohammed regarding his authority to file the charges and received a negative response. Mohammed admitted to the errors made in using EFCC’s name for the filing, attributing them to being a human prone to mistakes.
EFCC has announced its intention to investigate Mohammed’s actions and present its findings to the court. The case has been adjourned to October 4, 2023.
Senator Stella Adaeze Oduah, who served as the Minister of Aviation from 2011 to 2015, is facing charges of money laundering and forgery. The situation has raised questions about the conduct of the police lawyer and the authenticity of the charges filed against the former minister.
