Emerging report indicates that the Supreme Court has on Friday, dismissed an appeal filed by a former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, seeking to stop his probe over an alleged N96 billion fraud, by the incumbent government of Governor Nyesom Wike.
In a lead judgment prepared by Justice Emmanuel Augie, but read by Justice Adamu Jairo, the Apex Court dismissed the appeal of Ameachi, on the grounds that the issue of not been given fair hearing does not arise, as no one is on trial.
Amaechi had prayed the Supreme Court to prohibit Governor Wike from investigating his 8-year tenure as Governor of the State.
He predicated his opposition to the probe, on the ground that it was aimed at witch-hunting him, to embarrass him, humiliate him, and to as well disgrace him, in view of his political differences with his successor.
The court however, also ordered Amaechi to pay the sum of N1 million to Governor Wike as cost.
With the final decision of the Apex Court, Amaechi will be made to appear before the Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice George Omekeji, to give account of how the N96 billion in question was allegedly withdrawn from the Treasury of the State Government, and how it was expended.
The Commission of Inquiry inaugurated by Governor Wike, is to look into the lawful or otherwise of the alleged sale of valuable assets of the State.
The listed valuable assets are: Omoku Gas Turbine, Afam Gas Turbine, Trans Amadi Gas Turbine, Eleme Gas Turbine, Olympia Hotel, and the award of contract for the execution of the Mono Rail Project.
More news later…