N900bn fraud: Court dismisses suit seeking ex-Gov Yari probe

The Federal High Court, Abuja, has dismissed a suit seeking an order to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate former Governor of Zamfara, Abdulaziz Yari, for alleged misappropriation of N900 billion.

Justice Okon Abang, in a judgment on Thursday, dismissed the suit for lack of merit.

Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development (PAPS) had approached the court in an exparte application, through its Chairman, Dr Sani Shinkafi, asking the court to order the EFCC to act on the 15 petitions seeking urgent action by the anti-graft agency.

Justice Abang, who dismissed the application for lacking in merit, also held that the application was filed out of time.

The judge said in line with Order 34 Rule four of the Federal High Court Rules, applications such as the one by the applicant should be done within three months of receiving the reports and documents on which the plaintiff based his case.

He maintained that in line with the rules, the court lacks jurisdiction to extend the time for hearing such a matter as it is statute barred.