Malik Yahya/
But for the coronavirus crisis, the bail conditions of the 2016 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu, would have been revoked on Monday April 27.
This is as a result of what the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and court on record deemed consistent breaches of the conditions upon which he was granted bail.
Ize Iyamu recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reports say he is warming up to wrest the APC ticket from Governor Godwin Obaseki during the June primaries to contest the September election.
NewsmakersNG also learnt that the APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is supporting him against Obaseki.
Sources also revealed that a coordinated attempt to compromise the integrity of the judge to drop the case against Ize Iyamu had failed, as the judge was said to be uncomfortable at the pressure mounted to render the accused guiltless, in spite of evidence stacked against him.
In the opinion of the judge, it would be impossible and highly unconscionable to dismiss Ize Iyamu for the exact same offences various courts have found others – Olisa Metuh, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Senator Ayo Adeseun and Chika Nwankwo – all guilty of.
Sources also revealed that Ize Iyamu’s sponsor, Oshiomhole, had assured all allies that the matter would be dismissed in time for Ize Iyamu to mount a challenge for the APC governorship elections in Edo State.
Leveraging the intricate network of a prominent leader of the party who is also a sympathiser with a view to his 2023 presidential ambition, the National Chairman of APC is passionate in his quest to get his pound of flesh at all costs against his disloyal godson, Obaseki, and has set his sights on promoting the pastor in his place.
This will be the first time in the history of Nigeria, that a ruling party would actively promote and consider fielding a candidate who is serving bail conditions for fraud against the Nigerian state for high political office.
The matter had been set aside for judgement on March 26, but could not be heard because of the coronavirus pandemic. The court is, however, exploring an expedited hearing in view of the pressures put on it to dismiss the charges against Ize Iyamu without cause or reason.
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