An anti-corruption crusader and a former member of the House Representatives, Honourable Dino Melaiye, has filed a suit against a former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, for allegedly embezzling the sum N56 billion while he was the governor.
Though the case had been adjourned till May 15 for hearing, Dino, through his counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome, in the writ of summons, urged the court to order the defendant to forfeit and return to the coffers of the government of the state all money, properties and shares illegally acquired while in office between May 29, 2003 and January 27, 2012.
He wanted the court to compel the defendant to give full and wholesome account of all incomes, receipts and expenditure of the government of the state during his tenure as a governor.
The claimant also wanted an order of the court to annul all executive decisions and approvals, including all contract awards carried out between May 29, 2011 and January 27, 2012 when Idris illegally and unconstitutionally occupied the office of the governor of the state.
Specifically, he urged the court to give an order to the ex-governor to forfeit some properties which the former governor allegedly acquired illegally while in office, include a private residence which he just acquired and which he is currently living in at No 99, Kwame Nkruma Street, off Thomas Sankara Street, Asokoro, Abuja; Gubabi Royal Hotel, situated at Sokode Crescent, Zone 5, Abuja; Palmac Hotel, situated at No11, Bola FGE Close, Abuja; Dreamland Suites, No 4, Amsi Musa Street, Jabi, Abuja; Executive Suites (Hotel ) located at No 104, Kwame Nkruma Street currently under construction and Grand Ibro Hotel, formerly known as Ibro Hotel, reconstructed.
However, joined in the suit were the Accountant-General of the state, the Auditor -General of the state and the Commissioner for Finance, who are second, third and forth defendants respectively.
When the case came up for mention on Monday, counselfor the claimant, Chief Mike Ozekhome, told the court that his client, having completed all stages of pre-trial, was ready to commence the main suit without further delay and the counsel for the first defendant, Chief Pius Akubo, also expressed his readiness to commence the case.
