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Court order Hembe, Azubuogu to face trial

By Abiodun Badejo on July 4, 2012

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, today ordered the former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Markets and Institutions, Hon. Herman Hembe and his deputy, Hon. Emeka Azubuogu, to face trial.

Presiding over the matter, Justice Sadiq Umar dismissed their preliminary objections to the two count charge of diversion of public funds slammed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

It will be recalled that the charge followed an allegation leveled against the duo by the suspended Director- General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh, that they demanded a bribe from her.

Hembe was challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the charge, while Azubuogu challenged the leave granted the anti-graft agency by the court to prefer the charge.

But, Umar held that the EFCC had been able to establish a prima facie case against the accused persons.

Before adjourning till July 18 and 19, for arraignment, the Judge promised to give accelerated hearing on the matter.

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