By Innocent Anaba

ABUJA — Cousin to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Azibola Robert, has initiated contempt proceedings against chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, before an Abuja High Court, over alleged refusal to release him, having been in the custody of the commission since March 23,  2016, despite the order of court for his release.

EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu

Trial judge, Justice Olasunbo Goodluck, had on April 7, 2016, after listening to counsel to Robert, Chief Chris Uche, SAN and Gordy Uche, SAN, ordered the commission to immediately release  Robert from detention.

But following the refusal to release him, despite the court order, Robert, through his counsel, initiated contempt proceeding against Magu.

In the form 48, Magu is being warned of the consequences of the continued disobedience of the orders of court.

Also, counsel to Roberts, Uche, had in a letter to the EFCC chairman, regretted that despite being served with the two orders of the court, the commission had refused to obey the order and had continued to detain his clients 10 days after the said court order and in defiance of the court.

Uche said: “This is regrettable, considering the fact that the government is one that has stated its commitment to respect for the rule of law and has pledged to prosecute the war against corruption within  the ambit of the rule of law.

“It must also be remembered that it is before the same courts of this country that your commission arraigns and will arraign suspects.

“We, therefore, request that you release our clients forthwith as ordered by the court. Permit us to add  that we shall be compelled to commence committal proceedings before the court if the court’s order is not complied with in line with your commission’s motto that no one is above the law.”

The EFCC had on March 23, arrested Robert over alleged diversion $40 million through One-Plus Holdings, a sister company of Kakatar Construction and Engineering Company Limited, meant for securing oil pipelines.

The payment was said to have been made by the detained former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).

Frustrated by his prolonged detention, Robert, through his lawyer,  Uche approached the court for the enforcement of his fundamental rights.

In a motion ex-parte dated and filed on April 5 and brought pursuant to Order 5 Rules 3 and 4 of the fundamental rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Uche (SAN) prayed the court to make “an order granting his client an interim bail, pending his arraignment before a court of law by the respondent, EFCC, or pending the determination of the substantive motion in this suit,” which was granted by the court.