A Federal High Court, Lagos has refused an application by a promi- nent lawyer, Ricky Tarfa, SAN, seeking to stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from prosecuting him.
The EFCC had on February 8, 2016 slammed a two-count charge on him bordering on obstruction of justice and attempting to per- vert the course of justice.
Tarfa, who was arrested on Feb- ruary 5, 2016 by EFCC operatives for allegedly hiding two suspects – Nazaire Sorou Gnanhoue and Modeste Finagnon – in his Mercedes Benz Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, with the intent of shielding them from arrest, had gone to court seeking to stop his prosecu- tion by the EFCC.
When the case was called on Friday, Mr. Bolaji Ayorinde SAN announced appearance for the ap- plicant alongside five other senior advocates who were present in court.
While Rotimi Oyedepo announced appearance for the re- spondents and informed the court that the respondents were not served with court processes in the instant suit.
Oyedepo then expressed will- ingness to receive service of the processes in court, adding that the non service was a ploy by the ap- plicant to shut out the respondents.
Following an order of court, the court bailiff, one Mr. Lambo was summoned inside the court, and he effected service of the processes on the respondents.
After service had been effected, Ayorinde then prayed the court to order that status quo be maintained in the view of the pendency of the instant suit, for which Oyedepo had now accepted service.
Objecting to the application by counsel to the applicant, Oyede- po urged the court to “resist the temptation” of making such or- ders.
He argued: “if my lord makes such orders, then the court would have precluded the EFCC from carrying out its lawful duties.
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