By Oluwakemi Ishola
An FCT High Court, sitting in Maitama, presided over by Justice Suleman Belgore has granted an arrest warrant to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the arraignment of the immediate past Clerk to the National Assembly Mohammed Ataba Sani-Omolori.
Sani-Omolori alledgedly diverted 14 Toyota Hilux vehicles and 13 peugeot 508 valued over N400 million.
The official vehicles disappeared while Omolori was serving as Clerk to the National Assembly.
The Judge issued the order based on an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking an order of the court for the arrest of Omolori.
The anti-graft agency through an application – marked M/8728/2020, filed before the court, alleged that the respondent had ignored its invitation for him to report to its office over an investigation of a petition that bothers diversion of 14 Toyota Hilux vehicles and 13 Peugeot 508 valued at over N400 million.
As part of its investigation activities, EFCC invited the Secretary of the National Assembly Commission, Adamu Mohammed Fika, Mr Oluseye Ajakaye and others to its office.
It further stated that those invited made revelations indicting Omolori, following this development, letters were sent to him on Nov. 4, 2019, which Omolori failed to honour.
EFCC added that it sent another letter to him on March 16, 2020, which he still failed to honour.
In view of his failure , EFCC stated that it was left with no option than to approach the court for warrant of arrest to be issued against the respondent.
After listening to the counsel for EFCC, Mr S.N. Robert, Justice Belgore granted the order sought.
“I have considered the application, I averted to Paragraph 7 of the supporting affidavit and Exhibit EFCC 4 wherein the respondent was said to have ignored invitations to report in the applicant’s office without any justifiable reason.
“It is clear to me that Section 3 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015 can be invoked in the circumstances of this case in granting this application and I so do.
“Warrant of immediate arrest is hereby issued against Mohammed Omolori, the former Clerk of the National Assembly forthwith,” Justice Belgore ordered.
Omolori was forced out of office by the National Assembly Service Commission after spending over five years in office.
During his time, there were protests by staff and legislative aides over non payment of salaries and allowances.
