Rickey Tarfa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who is accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of attempting to pervert justice and bribery of a judge, has filed a suit before a Lagos State High Court to quash the charges brought against him.
In the petition filled by Tarfa’s lawyer, John Odubela, he claimed that the charges against him were made to “irritate, annoy and embarrass” him.
He also claimed that the EFCC’s case against him lacked merit, hence, he prayed the court to dismiss the suit.
Tarfa, who pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on self-recognizance, argued that the EFCC failed to clearly state the time and place when the said crimes were committed.
He further contended that the EFCC lacked the jurisdiction to prosecute the case, saying that the government of Lagos State should prosecute him and not the federal government.
Tarfa’s lawyer stated that: “The EFCC has no power to bring the information/charge as constituted.”
“This honourable court does not have the jurisdiction to entertain the information as presently constituted as same not only failed to disclose a prima facie case but was filed to irritate, annoy and embarrass the defendant/ applicant.”
Counsel to the EFCC, Emeka Ngige (SAN), is said to have filed a counter motion and the case was adjourned to March 21 by the presiding judge, Justice Aishat Opesanwo.
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