N179.8m Fraud: Defence Lawyer’s Absence Stalls Trial Of PDP Chieftain, 2 INEC Staff

Akinwonmi and the two INEC officials, Dickson Atiba and Ogunmodede Oladayo, are being arraigned before the court presided over by Justice Chuka Obiozor, on the alleged fraud, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The three defendants were first arraigned before Justice Sule Hassan, on July 30, 2018, during the court’s annual vacation, while they were granted bail by Justice Obiozor, on August 7, 2018, after arguing their bail applications by the counsel. While the matter was reassigned to Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke after the vacation.

Midway to the trial of the defendants, Justice Aneke withdrew from hearing the matter, following application made to the court by the defence, consequently, the matter was reassigned to Justice Obiozor, where their plea was retaken.

Upon retaken of their plea, their counsel then, Edward Ayo-Odugbesan, informed the court of his clients pending applications, one challenging court jurisdiction and the second for quashing of the charge.

At the resumed hearing of the matter today, EFCC counsel, Samuel Daji, told the court that the business of the day, is for hearing of defendants’ two pending applications and that he was surprised that counsel to the defendants were not in court.

He added that he was not informed about their absence.

However, before Daji could complete his submission, the presiding judge called his attention to a letter written by the defendants’ new counsel, Mr. Raji (SAN), wherein he sought for an adjournment due to ill-health coupled with his doctor advice to him to take some rest.

Justice Obiozor said: “there is a letter for adjournment by the defendants’ counsel, he had a medical advice to rest”.

Following the reading of Raji’s letter, EFCC counsel, Daji concede to the adjournment sought for, consequently, with his understanding and agreement, Justice Obiozor, adjourned the matter till October 30, for argument on court’s jurisdiction.

The three defendants are facing an eight count-charge bordering on conspiracy, by befitting from proceeds of crime, receiving various cash sums without going through financial institutions and accepting various cash sums exceeding amount authorized by the law.

They were accused of receiving the said money from Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), United Bank for Africa (UBA), Stanbic/IBTC, Diamond Bank Plc, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Skye Bank Plc and Diamond Bank Plc, sometimes in March 2015, during General Election

The offences according to the prosecution led by Rotimi Oyedepo are contrary to section 18 (a), 15(2)(d), 16 (d) 1(a), 16 (1) (d), and 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as Amended and punishable under 15 (3)(4) and 16 (2)(b)  of the same Act.

The accused however pleaded not guilty to all the charges.