Nigeria’s Supreme Court yesterday in Abuja granted a clemency to jailed Senator Peter Nwaoboshi by reversing the hearing date in the appeal challenging his seven-year prison sentence for corruption.
Although the hearing date on his appeal against the conviction was scheduled for November 24, 2024, however, yesterday the high court postponed it to February 9, 2023 following a request to that effect.
Nwaoboshi, through his lawyer, Kanu Agabi SAN, a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), had made an impassioned appeal to the Supreme Court to expedite the hearing of his case against his imprisonment.
Agabi, while arguing the request, informed the court’s panel of judges headed by Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, that his client is a current senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The lead lawyer requested a speedy hearing of his client’s appeal against the seven years in prison imposed on him on 1 July 2022 by the Lagos Court of Appeal.
Agabi based his expedited hearing request on the grounds that the convicted senator can be forced to complete the prison term before his innocence or else it could be decided by the higher court.
In addition, Nwaoboshi was said to be a Senate candidate for Delta North in the February National Assembly election.
He cited cases of some Nigerians whose prison sentences and convictions were overturned after they had completed their prison terms, adding that such cases were concerning.
However, after the no objection to the request of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other parties, the CJN, in a brief ruling, reversed the previous date of November 24, 2024 to February 9, 2023. to determine innocence. or the senator’s guilt in the corruption charges against him.
Nwaoboshi was, on July 1 last year, imprisoned for seven years by the Lakes Division of the Court of Appeals.
The senator, who represents the North Delta Senate District, was convicted of two counts of fraud and money laundering.
The court also ordered the liquidation of his two companies, Golden Touch Construction Project Limited and Suiming Electrical Limited, pursuant to Section 22 of the Prohibition of Money Laundering Act 2021.