Court throws out fraud charges against ex-Gov, says EFCC is desperate and bias

An Abuja High Court has thrown out the 50-count criminal charge brought against former governor of Bayelsa State, Mr Timipre Sylva and four others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The presiding judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola held that the unending prosecution of the ex-governor by the EFCC constituted a gross abuse of court processes that must be discouraged.

The anti-graft agency first initiated Sylva's trial in 2012, and then in 2013. The fresh charge is the third, and on the same subject matter.

While ruling on a preliminary objection filed by Sylva against the fresh charge, Justice Ademola said it is a clear case of desperation,  bias and harassment on EFCC's part.

He observed that the case was struck out by Justice Evoh Chukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja in 2012, as well as in 2013, when Justice Ahmed Mohammed dismissed the same charge against the accused persons.