Supreme Court Fast-Track Senator Nwaoboshi Jail Appeal

The Supreme Court on Thursday granted a reprieve to the lawmaker representing Delta north senatorial, Peter Nwaoboshi by reversing the hearing date in the appeal challenging his seven years imprisonment for corruption.

Recall that the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal on the 1st of July, 2022 sentenced Senator Nwaoboshi to seven years imprisonment for money laundering.

The lawmaker had filed an appeal against the court ruling which was slated for November 24, 2024.

However, the Supreme Court on Thursday rescheduled the date for February 9, 2023, following an application filed by the lawmaker’s counsel.

Nwaoboshi through his counsel, Kanu Agabi SAN had appealed to the Supreme Court to fast-track the hearing of his case against his imprisonment.

Agabi, a former Attorney-General of Nigeria in the application, informed the panel of justices of the court led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola that his client is a current Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The senior lawyer who condemned the seven years of imprisonment slammed on his client by the Court of Appeal in Lagos, pleaded for a quick hearing of his client’s appeal.

Agabi pleaded for a fast-track hearing on the ground that the convicted Senator may be made to complete the jail term before his innocence or otherwise could be decided by the apex court.

Also, Nwaoboshi was said to be a senatorial candidate for Delta North in the February National Assembly election.

He cited cases of some Nigerians whose convictions and jail terms were set aside after they had completed their terms of imprisonment, adding that such cases are worrisome.

However, following the no objection to the request by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and other parties, the Chief Justice in a brief ruling, reversed the earlier November 24, 2024, to February 9, 2023, to determine the innocence or guilt of the Senator in the corruption charges against him.