Ibori’s probe: Court restrains AGF, EFCC

The Delta State Government has obtained an order of the Federal High Court, sitting in Benin, restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), its Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu as well as the Federal Attorney-General, Mr Michael Aondoakaa from probing ex-governor James Ibori.

Presiding judge of the High Court, G. C. Okeke issued the order of interim injunction on Tuesday, following a suit filed by the Delta attorney-general, the state government, the secretary to the state government and the state auditor general against the EFCC. Joined in the suit as defendants are Messrs Ribadu and Aondoakaa.

Specifically, the court restrained the defendants from taking any steps to compel the applicants from producing the information requested by the EFCC through a letter dated June 6, 2007, referenced CR:3000/EFCC/ABJ/ASO/TM.3/VOL 2/321 and entitled "Investigation Activities: Request for Information," pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice before the court.
The court also stopped the EFCC from arresting or detaining all political office holders in the state from May 1999 to June 2007, including ex-governor James Ibori, his deputy Chief Benjamin Elue, Ede Ogboro and Charles Israel.