Rickey Tarfa: Court Says ‘No’ to Stay of Proceeding

Justice A. A. Akintoye of Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere,today  ruled out the prospect of entertaining any application of stay of proceedings in the ongoing trial of Rickey Tarfa, SAN judgment is delivered.

At the resumed hearing on May 20, counsel to Tarfa, Abiodun J. Owonikoko (SAN) had  raised a motion for stay of proceedings based on an earlier judgment over right of jurisdiction and dismissal of  the charge against the defendant which the court over – ruled. The defence wants the court to stay proceeding pending the hearing and determination of the appeal at the Court of Appeal.

However, prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo urged the court to dismiss their application and allow him call his witnesses who were in court. The prayer was granted by the court.

Oyedepo then called  Oliver Enwerem, a staff of Access Bank PLC, who told the court that EFCC wrote a letter to his Bank requesting the statement of account of Rickey Tarfa and Awa Ajah Enterprises Limited. He told the court that the signatory to this account was one H. A. Nganjiwa and it was a Company Account.

He also narrated to the court how the transaction involving Ricky Tarfa occurred in that account.

"On 27th October, 2015, a cash deposit of N1.5 million was made into that account by Rickey Tarfa. On 30 November, 2015, a transfer of N980,000 in favor of one Garba Mohammed, another transfer of N200,000  to Awa and N35,000 in favor of one Mary. There was another cash deposit of N200, 000 on that day by Tarfa.

“On 15 December, 2015, there was a cash deposit of N500, 000 and a transfer of N500, 000 by Tarfa. Also, on 30th December, 2015, a cash deposit of N500,000  was made by the accused, while yet another cash deposit of N500,000 was made by him on 8th January, 2016”.

Justice A. A. Akintoye adjourned the matter till 27 May for continuation of trial and cross examination by defence.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arraigned Rickey Tarfa (SAN) on 9^th  March, 2016  on a 27-count charge bordering on alleged willful obstruction of authorized officers of EFCC, refusal to declare assets, making false information and offering gratification to a public official

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

20^th May, 2016