EFCC: Court Dismisses Charges, Acquits Dr. Ighodaro, Others

By ABIODUN JIMOH

Justice Efe Ikponwonba of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City, has dismissed charges brought against former Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Edo State branch, Dr. Emmanuel Ighodaro, and two other executive members by the Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

It could be recalled that EFCC had arraigned in January 2018, Dr. Ighodaro and four others namely Dr. Anthony Owolabi, Dr. Quincy Atoghengbe, Dr. Raymond Ogieva, and Dr. Oseremen Gabriel Ogbebor, for alleged to have conspired to commit felony, punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code CAP 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria as applicable to Edo State.

The court had earlier ruled in May 2018 whereby Dr Quincy Atohengbe and Dr Raymond Ogieva were discharged.

However, at the hearing of the case which commenced 9am till 10:30am at the Court one, Aiguobasimi, GRA, Benin City, Counsels to Defendants, Imadugbelo Ighodalo (SAN) and K. O. Obamogie prayed the court to dismiss the charges and acquit the defendants, Counsel to EFCC, S.I. Ibekute vehemently opposed these applications.

After listening to all the arguments and counter arguments, Justice Ikponwonba made in her ruling dismissed all the charges, and acquitted Dr. Ighodaro and others involved in the case.

With this development, the fraud charges levelled against the ex-NMA officials have finally come to an end.