–Daddy Hezekiah never had N6.9bn with the bank and therefore could not claim to have had it stolen
New damning information has emerged in the allegation of fraud by Rev. Onokogu Hezekiah against a Polaris Bank Manager, Hezekiah Duru.
A source in the know about developments involving the founder of Living Christ Mission, Rev. Hezekiah popularly known as Daddy Hezekiah and Duru has trashed the cleric’s allegations.
Recall that the duo of Daddy Hezekiah and Duru have been in the news in recent times, with the former alleging the latter of financial misappropriation and breach of trust, leading to Duru’s arrest and detention by the police.
Multiple news platforms reported that Daddy Hezekiah alleged Duru of diverting N16.5 billion from his various accounts between 2017 and 2023, while he served as his account officer.
However, in an exclusive chat with www.theoctopusnews.com, an associate of the duo revealed that the bank manager who is being prosecuted by the man of God is indeed his adopted son.
Further, the source revealed that Daddy Hezekiah never had the kind of money he claimed to have had with Polaris Bank. He also added that the case is being investigated by the duo of the Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He said, “The banker in question is the adopted son of the complainant. It is a case in which investigations of both EFCC and the Police have not concluded.
“Unfortunately, for the Plaintiff, he cannot put something on nothing because he NEVER had any N16.9, nor N6.9bn with the bank and therefore could not have had it stolen.”
Duru was arrested and detained on the 11th day of December 2023 till the 29th day of December 2023, leading to his initiation of a fundamental human rights suit.
Ruling on the suit, Justice D. Okorowo ruled against Daddy Hezekiah and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), stating that the arrest and detention of Duru was a violation of his fundamental human rights, especially since the allegation was already under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In the suit: FHC/ABJ/CS/3/2024, Justice Okorowo also faulted the warrant order obtained from the Nasarawa State Magistrate Court.
The Court judgment by Justice Okorowo in favour of the Applicant, Duru, reads:
“A declaration is made that the arrest, detention and purported investigation of the Applicant from the 11th day of December 2023 till 29th day of December 2023 by the Respondents on the petition of the 1st Respondent on an allegation of financial misappropriation/embezzlement/cheating/breach of trust already being investigated is an infringement of the Applicant’s right to personal liberty, fair hearing, right to dignity of his person as enshrined in the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 and African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“A declaration is made that the order/warrant for the detention of the Applicant obtained by the Respondents from the Nasarawa State Magistrate Courts is unlawful, an abuse of powers, an abuse of judicial process, and an infringement of the Applicant’s right to a fair hearing, and personal liberty.
“An Order is made directing the release of the Applicant, Amb. Dr. Hezekiah Chinenye Duru forthwith from Police custody.
“An Order of injunction is made restraining the Nigerian police and its officers from arresting, detaining or further violating or doing anything capable of undermining, threatening or interfering with the fundamental rights of the Applicant, His Excellency Amb. Dr. Hezekiah Chinenye Duru.
“An award of 10 Million Naira damages jointly and severally against Rev Onukogu and the Nigerian police, the Inspector General of the Nigerian Police, and ACP Asuqou (the officer in Charge of the Special Investigation Unit of the IGP office).”
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