SAN Dismisses Jim Okolo’s Claims, Says Only Criminal Charges Pending
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Oba Maduabuchi (SAN), has dismissed businessman Jim Chimezie Okolo’s claims of a pending legal dispute, insisting that all civil matters have been concluded in court and only his criminal prosecutions remain active.
Speaking on a live talk show, Maduabuchi explained that the Federal High Court in Abuja had already dismissed Okolo’s fundamental rights enforcement suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/197/2021) in a ruling delivered by Justice G.K. Olotu.
The court affirmed that Okolo’s arrest, investigation, and prosecution by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) were legal and constitutional.
“So I don’t know where Okolo is getting the idea that the matter is still alive. It has completely been dismissed and terminated,” Maduabuchi said, noting that Okolo’s claims amounted to nothing more than “mystery and fabrication.”
The SAN clarified that the only active case involving Okolo is a 17-count criminal charge brought by the Federal Government, following investigations by the DSS. According to him, Okolo had threatened the life of oil magnate Sir Emeka Okwuosa, despite having “no knowledge of the AKK project.”
Investigations further alleged that Okolo impersonated a federal lawmaker representing Idemili North/South to collect money under false pretences.
He is currently facing multiple charges, including conspiracy, intimidation, job racketeering, impersonation, perjury, and obtaining by false pretence, under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
Okolo has been arraigned in separate suits:
FRN v. Jim Okolo & 3 Ors. (Charge No: CR/109/22) before Justice S.U. Bature at the FCT High Court, Maitama.
An eight-count charge before Justice A.Y. Shafa of the FCT High Court, Gwagwalada, where he was remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre.
Maduabuchi also dismissed Okolo’s repeated claim of securing a $2bn AKK contract for Okwuosa in exchange for a $5m finder’s fee, describing it as “a cocktail of lies.”
“In the oil industry where multi-billion-dollar contracts are discussed, Okolo would not even be allowed near the gate,” the SAN said, revealing that key officials Okolo claimed to know had publicly denied ever meeting him.
He further criticised Okolo’s media tactics: “No serious lawyer abandons the courtroom for press campaigns. His previous lawyers, including Alex Ejesieme (SAN) and Femi Falana (SAN), withdrew after realising he had no case. He is just a goal-digger.”
