Supreme Court to accelerate hearing in case of senator jailed seven years

• Published date: 13 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

The Supreme Court has agreed to promptly hear an appeal by a serving Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North Senatorial District) who was sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

In a ruling yesterday, a five-member panel of the apex court, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, granted Nwaoboshi's prayer that his appeal be brought forward and heard promptly.

Justice Ariwoola, in the lead ruling, said Nwaoboshi's application, having not been opposed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other respondents, should be granted as prayed.

The CJN subsequently rescheduled the hearing of the appeal for February 9 instead of the earlier date of November 21, 2024.

Other members of the panel - Justices John Okoro, Amina Augie, Mohammed Garba and Emmanuel Agim - agreed with the lead ruling.

Nwaoboshi's lawyer Kanu Agabi (SAN) had, while arguing the application, averred that his client was a serving senator, who is also contesting in the February 25 National Assembly poll.

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Agabi said it was imperative to hear Nwaoboshi's appeal on time to prevent a situation where he is jailed before his appeal succeeds and is eventually heard.

EFCC's lawyer Abba Mohammed and other lawyers in the case did not oppose the application, and the court gave its ruling.

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