The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has released the President of Masters Energy Oil and Gas Limited, Uche Ogah, just hours after he was arrested.
Ogah was invited by officials of the EFCC after the Nigeria Police withdrew the forgery allegation against him on the ground that the charge against him was preferred hastily without evidence.
His Lawyer, Monday Ubani, in a statement said his client was released unconditionally after he made his statement to EFCC.
Ubani said that the arrest of his client was an error by the commission.
He said the error was caused by the false information from the petitioner.
According to Ubani, the complainant in the forgery charge against his client, one Bridget Adeosun had forwarded the same petition which she sent to the police to the EFCC and misinformed the commission on a lot of issues.
The statement by Ubani states: “The invitation of my client, Uche Ogah, by officials of the EFCC this morning at the premises of Tinubu Magistrate, Lagos to say the least is the most shocking turn of event in an over five months trial over a trumped up charge.
“In vindication of my client’s innocence, the police prosecution this morning informed the court of his intention to discontinue the forgery charge against my client. Accordingly, the presiding magistrate, Mrs Kikelomo Ayeye struck out the charges and discharged him.
“Just as my client was stepping outside the court, officials of the EFCC invited him and took him to their office.
“At the EFCC office, we were confronted with a petition written by same Mrs Adeosun who coincidentally is also the complainant in the forgery charge that was earlier struck out by the magistrate court.
“We presented the same submission we made before the police to the EFCC which is that the subject matter in the forgery allegation bothers on a pure business transaction which my client had with Mrs Adeosun. We showed the commission’s officials documents about the business transaction and agreements reached by parties in the business. The EFCC were shocked that these documents were never given to them where she received her payments.
“After reviewing our presentation, EFCC officials asked my client to go home and come back another day to have interview with the petitioner. According to Mr. Ubani the allegation is baseless, fallacious and full of lies. My client was immediately cleared to go home.
“The fact remains that Uche Ogah has been cleared of any allegation of forgery. The police has seen the fact, the court delivered its verdict and the EFCC has also taken the appropriate action by releasing him after he was wrongfully invited.
“We are not unaware of the political manoeuvring aimed at ensuring that my client’s hard-earned reputation is dented by every means possible. However, our confidence in the judiciary and the ability of our law enforcement official remains unwavering knowing that they will do the right thing at all times.
“Politicians in Abia behind this have failed completely and shamelessly.”
The police had on June 16 arraigned Ogah, his company two others before a Federal High court for alleged forging the signature of one Bridget Adeosun.
The Police on Monday however withdrew their charges against Ogah and his associates on instruction of the Inspector- General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.
Ogah is also one of the aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Abia State 2015 governorship election.
He had been temporarily sworn in as Abia Governor after a Federal High Court in Abuja removed the state Governor Okezie Ikpeazu from office.
The governor however appealed the decision and has won the first hearing. (TV360 Nigeria)