Democratic watchdog tackles Idahosa over abuse of legal process

…Calls for stiffer sanctions against him

The Democratic Watchdog of Nigeria (DWN) said it has observed with keen interest the manner with which a senior lawyer Mr. Ehiogie West Idahosa has been serially disobeying fundamental legal rules contrary to the norms of the learned profession.

The displeasure was contained in a statement signed on behalf of the Coalition by Dr. Gabriel Nwambu which was made available to newsmen on Saturday evening.

The coalition observed that Mr. Idahosa raised a petition to Abubakar Malami, SAN, the Minister of Justice and a Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) in which he misled the AGF to issue instructions to the police high command to intervene in the faceoff in Edo state House of Assembly even as the matter was in court.

In his words, Dr. Nwambu said: “Mr. Ehiogie West Idahosa via a petition addressed to the Minister of
Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, where he mislead the AGF to issue instructions to the IGP and intervene on a matter bothering on the Edo state House of Assembly which is already in court.

“This is a clear case of subjudice. It is our firm belief that the Abubakar Malami (SAN) as the chief law officer of the country ought not to let West Idahosa mislead him being acquainted with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Again, Mr. Ehiogie West Idahosa is found of leading litigation as counsel for and against the same client, on the same subject matter and before the same court (the Federal High Court). Refer to the case of Bishop Osadolor Ochei v. EFCC and Oshiomhole (Suit No.FHC/ABJ/CS/2018), wherein Mr. West Idahosa was counsel
for a party suing against Adams Oshiomhole as respondent in respect of a fraud case bothering on contract inflation on the cost of Edo Specialist (Central) Hospital project. Another contradiction to the rules of the profession”.

The Coalition therefore call on the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Disciplinary Committee to met out stiff sanctions against Mr. Ehiogie West Idahosa as a serial violator of fundamental legal rules.