Festus Keyamo (SAN) has lost a push to nail the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, to corruption.
Keyamo, who is the immediate past Minister of State for Labour and Employment, had filed a petition seeking the investigation of Atiku for alleged corruption.
In his petition, Keyamo accused Atiku of using ‘Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs)’ to corruptly enrich himself while he was vice president of Nigeria between 1999 and 2007.
He relied on an affidavit allegedly deposed by Atiku’s former media aide, Michael Achimugu, against his former boss in filing his suit.
The former Minister prayed the court to compel anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria to investigate Atiku for his alleged corrupt activities.
Court Throws Out Keyamo’s Petition
However, the court, on Monday, dismissed the case brought before it by Keyamo.
The court, in a judgement that was delivered by Justice James Omotosho, held that the suit lacked merit.
Justice Omotosho held that the plaintiff was unable to disclose any reasonable cause of action in the suit to warrant the court to exercise its discretion in his favour.
Premature Case
The court further clarified that the suit was premature.
This is as Keyamo failed to allow the relevant law enforcement agencies to investigate the allegation he raised against Atiku, before rushing the matter to court.
Keyamo Disagrees
Reacting in a statement by his lawyer, John Ainetor, Keyamo vowed to appeal the dismissal.
the statement read: “Earlier today, a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the case filed by Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, against the candidate of the PDP in the last Presidential Election, Alhaji ATIKU Abubakar over the SPV saga principally.
“The court was of the opinion that the law-enforcement agencies were not given enough time to commence investigations before the suit was filed, amongst other sundry reasons.
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“Our client respectfully disagrees with the reasons for the said decision because the law-enforcement agencies did not indicate their willingness to commence investigations, even if they were given more time.
A Legal Principle
“We want to establish a legal principle that the society cannot wait as infinitum for law-enforcement agencies to do their statutory duties.
“The suit was designed to prompt the agencies to show their READINESS to investigate.
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“We are immediately filing an appeal against the said decision to the Court of Appeal as the struggle on this issue continues.”
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