Nude photos: Absence of prosecution stalls Ohakim’s arraignment

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The absence of the prosecution counsel from the Federal Ministry of Justice, yesterday, stalled scheduled arraignment of a former Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim

The former gov, alongside one Chinedu Okpaleke are being prosecuted for allegedly threatening to release nude photographs of an Abuja based woman, Chinyere Amuchienwa, if she fails to drop charges of attempted kidnap against them.

At a resumed proceeding, Justice Taiwo Taiwo, was informed by the counsel representing Lady Chinyere Amuchienwa, who is the nominal complainant in the case, that the prosecution counsel was bereaved. 

There was no legal representation from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, which has taken over prosecution of the defendants. 

Addressing the court, counsel to Chinyere, Ifeanyi Nweze said, “My Lord, the prosecuting counsel from the Ministry of Justice is bereaved, that is why he is not in court today. 

In a short ruling, Justice Taiwo said “in view of the information passed on to the court by counsel to the norminal complainant, this matter has been adjourned to  February 24.

Following a petition by Chinyere Amuchienwa, the police had filed a criminal charge against Ohakim and Okpaleke, but later discovered that the allegation was false and misleading.

Consequently, effort by the Police to withdraw the charge against the defendants marked FHC/ABJ/CS/287/2020, proved abortive as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice applied to the court to take over the matter. 

On September 27, Justice Taiwo ruled that the AGF has unfettered power to take over the case.