The former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, on Tuesday, asked the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja to strike out a suit seeking to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate allegations of corruption against him, for being incompetent and status-barred.

In a notice of preliminary objection challenging the suit, Oshiomhole said the Edo state-based human rights activist, Bishop Osadolor Ochei, who filed the suit lacked the locus-standi (legal right) to institute the legal action.

Ochei had approached the court with an application seeking an order of mandamus to compel the EFCC to arrest and commence criminal proceedings against the former Edo state governor over alleged financial fraud while he was in office.

Oshiomhole further argued that the court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the suit for failure of the Bishop to commence the action within the time provided by extant rules of the court and for his failure to disclose locus standi to file the action.

The trial Jude, Justice Anwuli Chikere adjourned matter to November 19, 2018, for hearing of Oshiomhole’s preliminary objection filled yesterday.

The Judge had ordered that the EFCC and the former Governor be served with court processes within five days from October 9, 2018, when the order was made. But when the matter came up yesterday, the EFCC was not represented by any counsel in court.

•Excerpted from Tribune report