FG seeks evidence in UK to try Araraume - as tribunal throws out case against him

Lanre Adewole, Abuja. - 14.02.2008

The Federal Government on Wednesday said that preparations were on to procure documentary evidence from the United Kingdom in proving that the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo state, Ifeanyi Araraume, contravened the laws guiding the conduct of public officers, while serving as a senator.

He was put on trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal by government for allegedly operating foreign bank accounts as senator of the Federal Republic, contrary to extant laws.

After failing to appear at the last adjourned date, the politician was finally docked on Thursday, where the one count-charge was read to him. He pleaded not guilty. When the trial came up on Thursday, prosecution counsel, Thompson Olatigbe, told the tribunal that the evidence in possession of the prosecution would not be enough to prove the case against Ararume.

Responding, Araraume through his counsel, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), asked the tribunal to dismiss the case if the prosecution was not ready for the trial.

In her ruling, tribunal’s chairman, Justice Constance Momoh, said it was untidy for the prosecution to arraign the accused without concluding its investigation. “It was said in the charge that the accused maintained two foreign accounts. No evidence was supplied by the bank to substantiate the claim of the prosecution. If the prosecution had said that it did not have sufficient evidence, the accused would not be standing before us today”, she said.