GEJ’s cousin cries out, says he is being persecuted because of former president

macfranc007 October 17, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Naija news 24/7 Kess Ewubare

- Azibaola Robert, a cousin to Goodluck Jonathan he is being victimied for his advocacy against environmental injustice in the Niger Delta

- Robert claims are objected by the prosecution counsel, Sylvester Tahir, who said the defendant’s claims are not related to the money laundering charge preferred against him

- But counsel to the accused, Chris Uche, countered, pleading with the trail judge, Justice Dimgba, to allow his client to give his testimony on the manner he wants

Azibaola Robert, a cousin to Goodluck Jonathan, has alleged that he is being vilified by the current administration because of his relationship with the former president.

Vanguard reports that Azibaola made the claim on Tuesday, October 16, when he opened his defense over the alleged $40 million contract awarded him by the federal government.

The relation of the former president told the Federal High Court in Abuja that he had also being victimied for his advocacy against environmental injustice in the Niger Delta.

“My name is Robert Azibaola, I’m from Otakeme, a community that’s two kilometres away from Oloibiri where crude oil was first discovered in Nigeria. I’m a businessman, the managing director of Oneplus Holdings, Kakatar Nig Ltd. I’m the chairman of several companies," he said.

“I formed the Niger Delta Human & Environmental Rescue Organisation (ND-HERO) to fight injustice especially in the Niger Delta and across the country. I was a lawyer for the Ogoni 20. They were to be meted the same treatment like Ken Saro Wiwa.

“The late Ken Saro-Wiwa was arrested severally for my sake and I could not bear the pain anymore. The day Ken was judicially murdered was the day I retired from law practice. I am a minority in Nigeria and I have served my country Nigeria faithfully.”

However, the prosecution counsel, Sylvester Tahir, objected to the defendant giving a background of his life and journey in the Niger Delta advocacy on the grounds that it was not related to the money laundering charge preferred against him by the EFCC.

But counsel to the accused, Chris Uche, countered, pleading with the trail judge, Justice Dimgba, to allowed his client to give his testimony on the manner he wants.

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The judge agreed with the defense, noting that would be hasty to shut down the evidence of the defendant regarding his background to the alleged offence he is being linked with.

He then adjourned the matter till Wednesday, October 17, 2018, for further hearing

Meanwhile, hours after he officially ceased from being the governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, on Tuesday, October 16, arrived the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for questioning.

Fayose, who was dressed in a Tee-shirt and faze cap with the inscription: “EFCC, I am here”, was accompanied by the governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, who is also a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The former governor was also accompanied by top members of the party including Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.

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