Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Maurice Iwu’s application for a transfer of his fraud trial from Lagos to Abuja has been dismissed.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos said the application lacked merit.
The judge said “justice will be better served for the trial to proceed in Lagos”, as most of the prosecution witnesses were in Lagos, with some retired.
The accused had sought the transfer, through his lawyer, Ahmed Raji (SAN), on the basis that at the age of 70 years, he was too old to be coming from Abuja to Lagos to stand trial.
He also said the transactions leading to the charges took place in Abuja.
Maurice Iwu is accused by the Economic and Fiancial Crimes Commission, EFCC of laundering 1.23 billion naira ahead of the 2015 general election.
The trial will continue on April 28.
