Posted by The appeal challenging Senator Peter Nwaoboshi’s seven years in prison for corruption was rescheduled by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja, giving him a respite.
The hearing date for his appeal against the conviction was originally set for November 24, 2024, but the supreme court on Thursday changed it to February 9, 2023 in response to an application.
Through his attorney, Kanu Agabi SAN, a former AGF, Nwaoboshi had fervently pleaded with the Supreme Court to expedite the hearing of his appeal against his imprisonment.
While arguing the motion, Agabi revealed that his client was a sitting Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria before the court’s justices, who were presided over by Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Olukayode Ariwoola.
A speedy hearing of his client’s appeal against the seven years of imprisonment imposed on him on July 1, 2022, by the Court of Appeal in Lagos was sought for by the senior attorney.
Agabi based his request for a fast-track hearing on the possibility that the Senator who was found guilty would have to serve out his sentence before the Supreme Court could rule on whether or not he was innocent.
Additionally, Nwaoboshi was reportedly running for Delta North senator in the National Assembly election in February.
He mentioned instances of Nigerians who had their convictions and prison terms overturned after serving their sentences, saying that such examples are concerning.
But after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, or EFCC, and other parties received no opposition to their request, the Chief Justice swiftly changed the earlier November 24, 2024, to February 9, 2023, deadline for deciding whether the Senator was innocent or guilty of the corruption charges leveled against him.
On July 1 of last year, Nwaoboshi was sentenced by the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal to seven years in prison.
A two-count accusation of fraud and money laundering resulted in the senator’s conviction. He represents the Delta North Senatorial District.
The court also mandated that his two businesses, Suiming Electrical Limited and Golden Touch Construction Project Limited, be dissolved in accordance with Section 22 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2021.