EFCC Press Release
At
last, hearing in the case of Helen Aninye, Chizobam Ben-Okafor and their
company, Pon-Specialized Services Limited, before Justice Olasumbo Goodluck of
the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, will commence tomorrow, July
8, 2015.
The
duo alongside their company were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC, on Friday, May 31, 2013 on an 18-count charge of conspiracy
to obtain money by false pretence to the tune of N1, 413,507,951.50 (One
Billion, Four Hundred and Thirteen Million, Five Hundred and Seven Thousand,
Nine Hundred and Fifty One Naira and Fifty Kobo) from the Federal Government of
Nigeria under the Petroleum Support Fund for the importation of 15,000 MT of
Premium Motor Spirit. But a string of applications by the defence had delayed
the commencement of trial.
When
the case was called up today, July 7, the defence counsel, Solomon Edeh,
representing Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, pleaded with the court for an adjournment.
According
to him, “We have a problem! The lead counsel for the defence sent his
apologies; so, we are asking for a new date.”
However,
counsel to EFCC, Sir Steve Odiase, prayed the court to commence the trial of
the accused, adding that he was ready to present his witnesses.
After
listening to both counsels, Justice Goodluck expressed her displeasure over the
needless delay in the commencement of trial and told the prosecution to ensure
all his witnesses are present in court tomorrow, July 8.
It
will be recalled that the arraignment of the accused persons was aborted on
several occasions by the defence.
In
November 2012, when the Commission first sought to arraign the accused persons,
Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, told the court that there was no prima facie case
against the accused persons, so they could not be arraigned.
Also,
Adebola Sobowale, who held brief for Agbakoba, engaged the court with a series
of applications and motions, praying the court not to entertain the charge
against the accused.
On
April 30, 2013, the defence counsel had filed a motion, praying the court to
decline the prosecution leave to prefer charges against the accused persons and
to strike out the 18- count charge.
Also,
on May 13, 2013, the defendants filed another application praying the court to
stay further proceedings on the matter and to quash the charge against them.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
7th July, 2015
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