SPV saga: Keyamo vows to appeal court dismissal of suit for Atiku’s investigation

Former Minister of State for Employment, Festus Keyamo (Senior Advocate of Nigeria) has vowed to appeal the dismissal of the suit for the investigation of the presidential flagbearer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar over the SPV saga.

Keyamo on Monday made this promise in an official press release signed by the Assistant Head of the Abuja Office of the Festus Keyamo Chambers, John Ainetor.

“Earlier today, a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the case filed by Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, against the candidate of the PDP in the last Presidential Election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar over the SPV saga,” Ainetor wrote.

“That is principally because the court was of the opinion that the law-enforcement agencies were not given enough time to commence investigations before the suit was filed, amongst other sundry reasons.

“Our client respectfully disagrees with the reasons for the said decision because the law-enforcement agencies did not indicate their willingness to commence investigations, even if they were given more time.

“We want to establish a legal principle that the society cannot wait as infinitum for law-enforcement agencies to do their statutory duties.”

According to Ainetor, the suit was designed to prompt the agencies to show the readiness of the court to investigate.

He also said that they will immediately file an appeal against the said decision to the Court of Appeal as the struggle on the issue continues.

Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) of the Federal High Court in Abuja had called for the dismissal of a suit by Keyamo against Atiku.

The law enforcement agencies asked Justice James Omotosho to throw out the suit by Keyamo who is seeking the prosecution of Atiku.

Keyamo asked the agencies to arrest Atiku over an audio recording released by his former aide, Michael Achimugu.

In the audio, Atiku was alleged to have explained how some organisations were set up to divert public funds.

In a letter addressed to the EFCC, ICPC, and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Keyamo gave the agencies 72 hours to begin the prosecution of the former vice president.

Keyamo also filed a suit asking the court for an order compelling PDP’s presidential candidate to submit himself to the agencies for a thorough investigation.

At the resumed hearing, counsel for the anti-graft agencies faulted the competence of the suit and prayed to the court for its dismissal.

According to them, Keyamo failed to comply with the requirements of the law in filing the suit.

(Guardian)