THE Federal High Court, Abuja Division, Friday dismissed the application brought by Mr. Olalekan Bayode, praying it to appoint him as manager of the controversial $15 million allegedly used by former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori, to bribe then chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The trial Judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, reached that decision on Bayode's application after declaring that it was completely at variance with the interim order of court, which ordered interested parties to show cause why the money should not be forfeited to the Federal Government.
"When I read the affidavit, I asked myself whether they really heard of the opportunity given through the publication of the interim order.
"While I readily overlook the misconduct of the applicant, I cannot understand the conduct his counsel," he ruled.
Justice Kolawole expressed disappointment in the conduct of counsel to Bayode, Femi Aina thus: "When the order I made is juxtaposed with the application brought by the intervener's counsel, which is professionally hollow, I consider this as a disregard to court process. Right of access to court must be made judiciously and not frivolously."
