Keyamo had earlier asked law enforcement agencies to arrest Atiku based on an audio recording released by Michael Achimugu, Atiku’s former aide.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court in Abuja has threatened to dismiss a suit filed by Festus Keyamo against the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Keyamo, who is the spokesperson of the APC’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), instituted the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/84/2023 against Atiku over allegations of money laundering.
The judge said on Tuesday that he would strike out the suit if Keyamo was not ready to diligently prosecute the case.
Also joined as defendants in the suit are the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Code of Conduct Bureau.
Keyamo had earlier asked law enforcement agencies to arrest Atiku based on an audio recording released by Michael Achimugu, Atiku’s former aide.
In the audio, the former Vice President was alleged to have explained how Shell organisations were set up to divert public funds.
Upon resumed hearing, Keyamo’s counsel, Okechukwu Uju-Azorji, said that on the last adjourned date, the court granted an order to serve Atiku (1st defendant) through substituted means.
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Uju-Azorji said that while they were planning to effect the service, Atiku served them his statement of defence.
“Have you served them the originating process?” the judge asked.
The lawyer, who said he was yet to serve Atiku based on the court order, said he felt the former Vice President’s statement of defence was incompetent since he (Atiku) was yet to be served with the court papers.
Justice Omotosho said he recalled that he adjourned the matter because the defendant had 30 days to respond.
He further said that for Atiku to have filed his application even before being served with the plaintiff originating process showed he was diligent.
He said the senior lawyer should not have based his failure to effect the service of his application on the incompetency of Atiku’s process because the news about the matter was on social media.
Uju-Azorji also told the court that Keyamo was not within the court’s jurisdiction to give his evidence in the matter.
The judge then warned the lawyer against turning the court into a dumping ground.
Consequently, Uju-Azorji prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him to serve Atiku with the originating process.
Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned the matter until March 23 for hearing or for dismissal.
Keyamo is seeking an order from the court compelling the anti-graft agencies to invite or arrest, investigate and prosecute Atiku in respect of the information available to him.
