The planned trial of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Mohammed Dele Belgore, and a former minister, Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, before a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, over alleged laundering of N470 million, suffered a set-back on Thursday due to the absence of lead prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo.
Belgore and Sulaiman, a professor of Political Science and International Relations, are being arraigned before Justice Muhammed Aikawa, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on a five count-charge bordering on money laundering.
The two defendants had pleaded not guilty to the counts, and granted bail on self-recognition.
When the trial came up yesterday, a lawyer from the EFCC, Mr. Nkewe Anana, informed the court of the inability of the lead prosecutor, Mr. Oyedepo, to arrive court earlier.
Anana informed the court that the lead prosecutor’s vehicle developed fault while coming to office, hence he was unable to make it to court as early as possible.
Anana also informed the court that the witness the prosecution intended to call in the matter was unable to make it to Lagos yesterday. He said the witness, who is coming from Ekiti state, called the Commission to say he will be coming the next day.
Consequently, Anana asked the court for a short stand down pending when the lead prosecutor, Mr. Oyedepo, and the witness will arrive.
In response to the prosecution’s application, lawyers to Belgore, Mr. B. O. Shofunde, Mr. Charles Edosanwa, Mr. Seni Adio, and lawyer to Sulaiman, Chief O. Ayanlaja, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, and Olatunde Busari, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), opposed the stand down application of the prosecution, rather they urged the court to adjourned the trial.
Mr. Shofunde (SAN), particularly told the court that the prosecutor only informed him of the problem faced by the lead prosecutor, Mr. Oyedepo, adding that he did not tell him anything about the witness’ absence.
Justice Aikawa chastised the prosecution for delaying the trial.
The judge said: “Prosecution should show a sign of seriousness with the case .This is a criminal proceedings, the prosecution should show more seriousness with the matter.”
While adjourning the trial till March 13 and 14, the Judge charged the prosecution to ensure that all its witnesses are present in court.
The EFCC alleged that Belgore, and Prof. Abubakar, who was a Minister of National Planning in 2014, on or about March 27, 2015, conspired among themselves and directly take possession of N450 million, which they reasonably knew to be proceed of crimes.
They were also alleged to have on March 27, 2015, transferred the sum of N50 million to one Sheriff Shagaya, without going through financial institutions.
The alleged offences, according to the prosecutor, Mr. Oyedepo, are contrary to Sections 18(a), 15(2)(d),1(a), Section 16(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012, and punishable under Section 15(3), 4 and 16(2)(b) of the same Act.
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