APC’s Pastor Ize-Iyamu accused of laundering N700m by EFCC; risks arrest July 14

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, may be arrested on July 14 if he fails to appear before a Federal High Court in Benin City, Edo State for allegedly laundering the sum of N700m.

It would be recalled that the EFCC had informed a Federal High Court in Benin City, that Ize-Iyamu and his fellow suspects took possession of about N700 million without any contracts.

The court had on July 2 adjourned the matter to July 14 due to the absence of Ize-Iyamu, who was said to be indisposed.

Our correspondent states that the trial had been delayed due to Ize-Iyamu’s absence, even as the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Garba, had earlier validated the charges against him.

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is the first defendant in the suit No. FHC/BE21C/ 2016 filed by the EFCC, who accused the defendants of conspiring among themselves to commit the offence in March 2015, alleging that they took possession and control of the funds without any contract award.

The judge rejected the oral request for a prolonged adjournment of the case by the counsel to Ize-Iyamu, who argued that his client will not disobey the order of the court.

Justice Garba stated that the last time somebody was here, he (the judge) made an order for the accused person to appear in court or face arrest.

The defendants in the case who include former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr. Lucky Imasuen, Mr. Efe Erimuoghae-Anthony, and others are facing an eight-count charge of money laundering to the tune of N700 million meant to prosecute the 2015 general elections.