Posted by By GODWIN TSA, Abuja on
The Federal Government on Tuesday said it was not going back on the trial of former governors facing charges of corruption, saying their trial is valid and therefore irreversible.
The Federal Government on Tuesday said it was not going back on the trial of former governors facing charges of corruption, saying their trial is valid and therefore irreversible.
It, however, said that it could not be stampeded into probing the regime of immediate past president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and other past administrations as it does not work on rumours and speculations.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), who made government's position public at a press briefing, also denied media report that the Federal Government paid $6 million for fake court judgment.
Six former state governors are currently standing trial in various courts in the country over allegations of corruption and non-declaration of assets. They include, Chief James Ibori of Delta, Senator Ibrahim Saminu Turaki of Jigawa, Reverend Jolly Nyame of Taraba, Dr. Orji Kalu of Abia, Ayo Fayose of Ekiti and Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State.
The attorney general said government had no intention to compromise the ex-governors' trial in any way, as its policy is not to interfere with the judicial process.
His words: 'We have never contemplated withdrawing cases filed against any ex- governor. The policy of government is not to interfere with judicial process. We have never said we are going to drop charges. The Federal Government is prosecuting those who are being prosecuted and government has no intention of discontinuing their trial. All prosecution being carried out against the former governors by the Federal Government are valid and, therefore, government has no intention of discontinuing with them."
On the probe of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the minister said, 'There is no probe of Obasanjo. The government has not embarked on any probe of Obasanjo.
Our position as a government is that government does not act on speculations. The issue of probing past administration has not arisen."
On the reported payment of the $20 million for a judgment by the Federal Government, the chief law officer said he was quoted out of context by the media as he only said he was waiting for enough documentary evidence to approve the payment of the debts.
Some national dailies had reported that the attorney general told the House of Reps Committee on Judiciary that the Federal Government paid $6 million to a foreign oil firm for a non-existent court judgment.