Judge warns against false social media reports on court proceedings

A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Monday, warned operators of social media platforms to desist from spreading and giving wrong  interpretation of ongoing court proceedings, so as not to be liable for contempt.

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, issued the warning, at the resumed trial of a People’s Democratic Party Chieftain, Sen. Peter Nwaoboshi, charged with N322 million money laundering charge.

Nwoboshi, representing Delta North Senatorial District, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Ctimes Commission (EFCC), alongside two companies – Golden Touch Construction Projects Ltd and Suiming Electricals.

The commission re-arraigned the accused, before the new judge, Justice Aneke, on Oct.5, following the elevation f the previous trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, to the Court of Appeal.

The accused had pleaded not guilty on his arraignment before Idris, and also, pleaded not guilty to the charges on his re-arraignment.

He was allowed to continue on his initial bail.

At the last adjourned date on Nov.13, first prosecution witness, Mr Prince Kpokpogri, had began his evidence before the court, after which the court had adjourned for continuation of cross examination.

When the case was called on Monday, Mr O.A.R Ogunde (SAN) announced appearance for the prosecution, while Messrs George Uwechue (SAN), C.K Nmarkwe and I.O Aniakor appeared respectively for the first, second and third accused.

Before trial resumed, the prosecutor (Ogunde) drew the court’s attention to some social media news feeds which had reported their news with the caption “Prince Kpokpogri on his way to prison,”

He described the development as worrisome and an obstruction to the administration of justice, alleging that the writers were media aides to the accused, and urged that the accused be allowed to respond to the assertion.

In response, the accused told the court that he never ordered any of such publications.

Following this development, the court warned parries to be cautious of taking ongoing court proceedings for discussions or interpretations on social media platforms, adding that trial was still ongoing.

According to the judge, the court is a hallow chambers and so, parties cannot go about discussing ongoing proceedings on social media platforms when a final decision had not been reached by the court.

The court warned: “If this continues, those responsible will be brought here and charged with contempt,”

The judge added: “we know there are journalists attached to this court and at least they report fairly,” he said

After the courr’s pronouncement, the first prosecution witness, (Kpokpogri) mounted the witness box for continuation of cross examination.

After he was reminded of his oath, defence counsel (Mowa) asked the witness ” You told this court at the last date that you had an exemption certificate from NYSC, do you have it now”

The witness replied : “No”

Defence then asked “how many years were you in Auchi polytechnic” and the witness replied ” I spent about four years and some months,”

When asked when he got admission into the polytechnic and which qualification he bagged, the witness told the court that he was admitted in the year 2000 and obtained his HND in 2004.

Again when asked which year, the witness said he could not remember.

When asked if he had seen the charge sheet against the accused the witness replied No.

Justice Aneke adjourned until Dec. 4, Dec. 6, and Dec. 11 for continuation of trial.
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The prosecution alleged that Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Projects, purchased a 12-storey building property, known as Guinea House, on Marine Road in Apapa, Lagos for N805million between May and June 2014.

The anti-graft agency claimed that N322million out of the N805million was part of proceeds of “an unlawful act of fraud.

The EFCC alleged that the N322million was transferred to the property’s vendor, on the order of Suiming Electricals, which was accused of aiding the accused to commit money laundering on or about May 14, 2014.

The alleged offence, the EFCC said contravened the provisions of sections 15(2)(d) and 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011.. (NAN)