A Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Taiwo Taiwo on Monday granted the prayer of Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to prosecute former Governor of Imo State Chief Ikedi Ohakim for attempts and threatening to expose nude photographs of Mrs. Chinyere Amuchienwa.
The court gave the approval while ruling on the application brought by the office of the Attorney General of Federation to take over the matter .
AGF had brought the application when the Nigeria Police that investigated the complaint and had filed five count criminal charge against Ohakim suddenly applied to withdraw the charge.
The Police had after several failed attempts to arraigned Okahim and Chinedu Okpareke filed a notice of discountenance of the matter in March this year same day that the AGF informed the court that it has taken over prosecution of Ohakim.
According to the charge number, FHC/ABJ/CS/287/2020, Ohakim and Chinedu Okpareke were alleged to have threatened to release a nude photograph of Chinyere Amuchienwa, if she fails to drop charges of attempted kidnap against them.
Specifically, Ohakim and Okpareke were dragged to the court by the police over allegations of threat to life and harassment of Amuchienwa whose relationship with the former governor is said to have gone soar.
In a ruling on Monday, Justice Taiwo held that there was no doubt that the AGF has unfettered power to prosecute.
The court said where issues have been joined in a criminal matter, notice of discountenance is brought by way of motion on notice, the Court cannot give effect to the notice of discountenance filed by the police particularly as the AGF had asked to take over the matter.
The trial Court judge maintained that the police move to discontinue the criminal matter lacked merit.
In view of the ruling, the court then fixed October 21, for the arraignment of the former Governor as well as commencement of trial.