Drama In Court As Okutekpa Insisted That Hembe Must Not Enter The Dock.

The anticipated arraignment of two members of the House of Representatives, Herman Hembe and Ifeanyi Azubuogu, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before a Federal High Court, Abuja, was stalled amid drama on Thursday.
The drama started when  Hembe’s counsel, Jibrin Okutepa  informed the court that he had filled a preliminary objection to the charge preferred against his client on the ground that the proof of evidence before the court did not disclose any prima facie case against him.
Thereafter, a heated argument ensued between Okutepa and EFCC counsel, Mr. O. Uket, who insisted that Hembe must enter the dock, a move which was spiritedly opposed by the defence counsel, who said his client could not be put in the dock.
After Hembe refused to enter the dock on the prompting of his counsel, the judge asked him to stand up to indicate his presence in the courtroom.
Hembe stood up, and the judge further directed that he should come and stand at the front of the court.
Okutepa argued that Hembe should not enter the dock because he was challenging the jurisdiction of the court to grant leave to the EFCC to prefer criminal charges against (Hembe).
The EFCC counsel argued that the issue of jurisdiction should be determined after the accused persons had taken their plea, an argument which was opposed by the defence counsel.
After listening to all the submissions, the judge ruled that it was premature to dock Hembe, saying the issue of jurisdiction should be determined before the EFCC could arraign the accused persons.