The trial of former governor of Nasarawa State,
Aliyu Akwe Doma and two others before Justice A. A
Okeke of the Federal High Court, Lafia, Nasarawa State
was today stalled as the defence sought adjournment pending the determination
of its application for the transfer of the case to another judge.
The ex-governor is being prosecuted by
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alongside Timothy Anthony
Anjide and Dauda Egwe on a 10-count charge bordering on money laundering.
At the resumed hearing of the case
June 2, 2014, the defence counsel, Charles Edosomwan, SAN who was represented
by Olalekan Ojo, told the court that, he had a pending application before the
Chief Judge requesting for the transfer of the case to another judge to ensure that
justice is done to the parties in the case.
The defence, in seeking adjournment of
the case, relied on Section 7(a) of the Practice Direction of the Federal High
Court which allows any counsel who may wish to make a petition against a judge
to inform the chief judge in writing of the allegations against the judge
concerned. He urged the court to give effect to the rules of the practice
direction and stand down the case pending the determination of the petition.
Responding, counsel to EFCC, Oluwakemi
Pinheiro, SAN, said the application is a calculated attempt to delay and
frustrate the case now that the prosecution is at the verge of closing its
case.
He stated that, the judge has been fair
and impartial in the conduct of the case. According to him, it is rather the
defence that has all along tested beyond limits, “the patience of the learned
trial judge by their incessant, unnecessary and, with profound respect,
frivolous applications and indulgences sought from the court as well as other
dilatory tactics trumped up to deliberately delay and frustrate expeditious
trial in this charge”.
Pinheiro who was visibly unhappy with
the application urged the court to dismiss it saying, it is frivolous and
pre-emptive.
After listening to the argument of
counsel, Justice Okeke adjourned the case to June 30, 2014 for mention.
One of the counts in the charge
against the accused persons reads:
“That you Aliyu Akwe Doma (former
governor of Nasarawa State, Timothy Anthony Anjide and Dauda Egwe between
January 2007 and December 2009 in lafia Nasarawa State within the jurisdiction
of this honourable court converted the sum of N5,000,000,000.00 (five billion
naira only) property of Nasarawa State Government being proceeds of an illicit
act to wit: concealing its illicit origin and thereby committed an offence
contrary to section 14(1)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act
2004 and punishable under section 14(1) of the same Act”.
Wilson
Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
2nd June, 2014
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