Former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, says she is unaware of any fresh criminal charge against her by the police in the name of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Ms Oduah asserted Tuesday in Abuja through her lawyer, James Onoja, SAN, while addressing reporters.

The former minister said apart from not being served with the charge, she had never been subjected to any investigation by the Nigeria Police Force.

“My client has not been invited to make any statement by any agency of government before the spurious charges were made by one Ochogwu Ogbe and Ibrahim Mohammed, who claim to be lawyers with the police,” said Mr Onoja.

The senior lawyer said the charge had no proof of evidence bearing Ms Oduah’s statement as required by law, and no single witness from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was listed.

Mr Onoja also claimed that the two police lawyers responsible for filing the charges did so without affixing their seal of practice.

He added that the address where the purported charge emanated indicated EFCC’s office at No. 1, Court Road, Benin City in Edo.

The senior lawyer claimed it could not yet be ascertained whether the police or the EFCC was behind the charge.

He said his team visited the EFCC headquarters to investigate the faceless charge, and the EFCC denied knowledge of the charge.

“The spurious allegations against our client of not participating in NYSC have been dismissed by the Supreme Court in her favour.

“The fresh charge against my client is a violation of the Code of Conduct for prosecutors as issued by the Federal Ministry of Justice and punishable under Article 7, part B of the Code,” he said.

He thanked Justice James Omotosho for questioning the lawyer that issued the charge and appearing for prosecution.

Mr Onoja said the judge’s action confirmed that the court was uncomfortable with all anomalies on the face of the charge.

He said he would petition the Inspector-General of Police for investigation and to call to order those bringing the image of the police to disrepute.

“We will also petition the EFCC to investigate impersonation and abuse of its prosecutorial powers.

“This is a new political dispensation which has promised adherence to the rule of law and accountability; we need a breath of fresh air,” he said.

On Tuesday, a mild drama ensued at the Federal High Court, Abuja, where Mr Omotosho handed a police lawyer, Ibrahim Mohammed, to EFCC regarding the case.

(NAN)