Judge quashes order committing Bawa to jail

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has said the Federal Capital Territory High Court Maitama, Abuja, has set aside the Order of Committal and the entire contempt proceedings against the Chairman of the EFCC, Absulrasheed Bawa.

In a statement on Thursday, the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said Justice Chizoba Oji, while ruling on a motion on notice filed by the EFCC asking the court to quash the entire proceedings in Suit No. FCT/HC/CR/184/2016 between Federal Republic of Nigeria V AVM Rufus Ojuawo, set aside the conviction of the applicant for contempt.

He added that Justice Oji said she found merit in the application in the interest of justice.

The statement quoted the justice as saying, “I hereby set aside the entire contempt proceedings in Suit No. FCT/HC/CR/184/2016 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria v AVM Rufus Adeniyi Ojuawo.

“That I further set aside the conviction of the Applicant, the Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, for contempt unconditionally.”

The court had convicted Bawa of contempt of court.

He was accused of failing to comply with a court order asking it to return a Range Rover and the sum of N40 million to the applicant in a suit.