Former AGF, Agabi Disowns Lawyer's Petition Written To IGP To Secure Release Of Wanted Fugitive, Francis Odiakose
Wanted fugitive from justice, Francis Oduwanor Odiakose aka Big Fish who was only recently declared wanted by the Delta State Commissioner of Police and Delta State Security council, DSS has attempted to fraudulently use a letter purportedly from the offices of the respected Senior Advocate Kanu Agabi SAN who was a former Attorney General of the Federation to secure his release from custody at the Delta State Police Command headquarters.
In a letter signed personally by the respected Senior Advocate and sighted by our correspondent, Kanu Agabi SAN wrote a disclaimer in which he stated as follows: That Ibrahim Ernest Ojochegbe Esq, Kanabilweze Esq, or D I Otutu Esq who have entered appearance as counsel are not under the employ of Kanu Agabi (CON) SAN & Associates neither do they have the authorisation of the renowned Learned Silk Kanu G Agabi to prosecute any suit on his behalf.
‘Take notice that whosoever might be transacting with either Ibrahim Ernest Ojochegbe Esq, Kanabilweze Esq, or D I Otutu Esq on the assumption that they may be acting for Kanu G Agabi (CON) SAN & Associates does so at his/her own peril as the office of Kanu Agabi (SAN) shall not be held liable for whatever liabilities or duties as may arise from such misassumption," the letter added.
"These lawyers who have been disclaimed by the revered Senior Advocate purportedly wrote the petition on behalf of Kanu Agabi & Associates to the Inspector General of Police and Deputy Inspector General of Police Johnson Kokumo to complain about the wanted declaration of Francis Oduwanor Odiakose," he said.
In addition to the recent WANTED declaration by the Delta State Police headquarters against Francis Oduwanor Odiakose and his brother Christopher Odiakose for terrorism, attempted murder and other charges, the courts in Delta State have also revoked his bail on gun running and illegal possession of firearms charges he is facing in the courts in the state.
His bail was revoked for failing to appear at several court dates for his criminal trial that has been going on for the past year.
Discrete sources in the Police informed our correspondent that the suspect, Francis Oduwanor Odiakose was arrested last week in the police headquarters in Abuja after he fled the state upon his being declared wanted.
He is said to have made his way to Abuja and used a letterhead from Kanu Agabi to write a petition against his being declared wanted.
He was apparently invited by the DIG DOPs Bala Zama Senchi to interview him about his use of policemen to intimidate members of the public in Delta State. After an extensive interview by the DIG DOPS and his staff, the DIG cautioned him against his use of the police and also for parading himself as a traditional ruler despite documentations from the State Government stating he was not a Traditional ruler. It was after the interview and report by the DIG to the Inspector General of Police that officers from the State Headquarters in Delta State arrested him and took him back to Delta State.
But in a bizarre twist, immediately after reaching the Delta State headquarters, the suspect according to our sources started bragging that he had made arrangements with some officers in Abuja to be returned back to Abuja to be released despite his court warrant for his revoked bail and also the warrants issued for the new charges he is facing.
Our confirmed sources have stated that the fugitive is still currently in the custody of the Delta state police.
Documents sighted after his arrest indicate that he has made plans to flee to Accra, Ghana if he is able to secure his release by officers in Abuja.
Court sources in Delta state have confirmed that the same fake letters from the Kanu Agabi SAN’s chambers have been used by other gang members such as Chibuzor Anayo and Jossey who are suspected members of the gang of Francis Oduwanor and who were recently arrested by the Nigerian Army during an armed robbery incident and are currently facing trial in the High Court in Delta State.
They apparently used the forged letters in their attempt to secure bail and release from custody from the courts in Delta State.
The judge in those cases has denied them bail based on advice from the DPP in Delta State.