Aiteo Energy Vice Chairman Seeks to Halt Prosecution

Benedict Peter, the vice chairman of Aiteo Energy and founder of NEMB Exploration Product Company Limited, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to seek a judicial review aimed at quashing a criminal complaint filed against him in a magistrate's court. The complaint, lodged by a private investigation company, accuses Peter of unlawfully procuring a U.S.

Nigerian official passport, specifically passport number F00017845, which he is allegedly not entitled to possess. This situation constitutes an offense under Section 96 of the Penal Code Law Cap 532 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, punishable under Section 97.

Peter, born on December 5, 1966, has reportedly been invited multiple times for questioning regarding these allegations but has failed to honor the invitations. His legal team argues that the matter falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, claiming the magistrate's court lacks the authority to address the criminal complaint.