Supreme Court of Nigeria has asked the former governor of Rivers State, immediate past Minister of Transportation and the All Progressives Congress, APC presidential aspirant, Rotimi Ameachi to answer cases before him at the Commission of Inquiry set up by the current Rivers State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP presidential aspirant, Nyesom Wike over 96 billion naira alleged assets fraud.
Supreme court in a unanimous judgement by a five-man panel of Justices on Friday said it found no reason to stop the Rivers State government from probing the erstwhile governor over his alleged involvement in the fraudulent sales of valued assets belonging to the state.
Supreme Court in the judgement dismissed the suit the former governor of Rivers State and presidential aspirant of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Rotimi Amaechi, filed to stop his planned probe over alleged 96 billion fraud committed while as governor of the state.
Supreme Court in the ruling read by Justice Adamu Jauro said that Amaechi’s appeal lacked merit and accordingly dismissed it. The apex court ordered the Appellant to go and face the Commission of Inquiry that was set up by the Rivers state government to investigate his 8-year tenure as governor of the state.
The apex court affirmed the judgments of both the High Court of Rivers State and that of the Court of Appeal which had earlier dismissed Amaechi’s case for want of merit.
The Court fined Rotimi Ameachi one million naira.
It would be recalled that the governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike inaugurated a seven-man Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice George Omekeji, to investigate allegations of financial malfeasance against the former governor.
Rotimi Amaechi was summoned to give account of the Omoku Gas Turbine, Afam Gas Turbine, Trans Amadi Gas Turbine, Eleme Gas Turbine, Olympia Hotel, as well as his alleged award of contract for the execution of Mono Rail Project among other assets.
