Court acquits ANLCA Chieftain for lack of due diligence by prosecutor

Tayo Oladipupo |

A High Court sitting in Enugu has discharged and acquitted Onyimba Raymond Enekwechi for lack of due diligence by the prosecutor in the criminal case of diversion of fund and obtaining money by false pretence.

Enekwechi who is the Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA’s Association Electoral Commission (ASECO), had pleaded not guilty to the allegations levelled against him and was granted bail to the sum of one million naira and one surety in like sum.

It would be recalled that one Mr. N.A. Ekwu through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on May 5, 2014 arraigned Onyimba before the Chief Judge of Enugu State High Court, Justice I. A Uwazulike on a 2- count charge of criminal diversion of fund and obtaining money by false pretence.

In a letter signed by Mr. Osita Mbonu on behalf of concerned Customs brokers, described the case as a business deal that was turned into political witch hunt to distract the accused political moves to become the Chairman elect for Agwu local government.

He further stated that the issue had caused the image of the accused and therefore should be compensated for financial losses among others and to bring to justice those involved in tarnishing the image of the accused.

In his words, “The whole world should take notice that Barr. Raymond Onyimba Enekwechi has been finally discharged and acquitted by Justice N.N. Neboh on the12th of February 2019 in the suite/166C/2014, never to rear its ugly face again.

“For an innocent person like Enekwechi to be so viciously accused by political opponents and in the process, has to be forcefully detained for long days, with all the accompanying trauma, Especially to his family, friends and business associates, for five long years, is very callous, to say the least.

“Clearly, Barr Onyimba has been up against certain political forces in Enugu state, which has the State coercive apparatus behind them, such that any attempt to enforce his fundamental human rights in court, they immediately and forcefully resist such moves.

This is because allowing such court processes to commence, might be opening up so many issues, politicians and bankers in collusion, and dating back to 2009.Worse still, after all these wrong allegations, no penalty was imposed on those who, deliberately, cooked up all the wrong allegations, just to attain selfish political ends, while decimating the Souls and, survival of fellow kinsmen.

“It is even more annoying to note that during the entire process, the so-called accuser, using the Instruments of coercion of the State never showed up to prosecute their matter,” he added.