N1.64bn Pension Scam: Defence Absence Stalls Trial

EFCC Press Release

The trial of Phina Chidi, a former assistant director, Pension Department, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, Franklin Nwankwo and Pam Investment properties before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court could not proceed on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 due to the absence of counsel to the first accused person, Chris Uche, SAN.

 

At the resumed hearing of the case today, counsel to the third accused, Godwin Uche informed the court that Uche could not make it to court because he was indisposed. He said that, the learned silk had earlier called to inform him that, he was not feeling too good. In the circumstance, he prayed the court for a short adjournment to enable him recover and be present in court.

 

Commenting, counsel to the second accused, M.C.M Ozioko aligned himself with the prayer of third defence counsel saying he was not averse to the application for adjournment.

 

Responding, counsel to EFCC, Godwin Obla, SAN, stated that, he had four witnesses present in court. He said that, the adjournment sought by the defence would have been strongly opposed if not  for reasons of ill health. 

Justice Kolawole, after listening to the submissions of the counsel adjourned the case to April 21 and 22, 2015 for continuation of trial while ordering the accused persons to continue with the bail already granted them by the court.

The accused are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 15 count charge of obtaining by false pretence and money laundering to the tune of N1,638,960,125.75 (one billion, six hundred and thirty eighty million, nine hundred and sixty thousand, one hundred and twenty five naira, seventy five kobo and $2,000,000.00 (two million US dollars).

 

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

4^th February, 2014