Witness absence stalls trial of two men accused of impersonation

The absence of a prosecution witness stalled the trial of two men, Chester Onyemaechi Ukandu and Achi George, who were arraigned before a Federal High Court, Lagos, for allegedly claiming to be directors of Mainstream Bank’s Registrars.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had arraigned the two men before Justice Rilwan Aikawa, on November 21, on a two count-charge bordering on impersonation.

The EFCC had alleged in the charge marked FHC /L/424c/2017, that the two accused persons had on February 21, 2017, within the jurisdiction of the court, held themselves out as directors of Mainstream Bank Registrar Limited, vide a letter dated February 14, 2017, addressed to the Manager, Skye Bank Plc, Ilupeju branch, Lagos, captioned ‘Appointment of New Signatories to the account of Mainstream Bank Registrars Limited’, the letter which they personally signed.

They were also alleged to have on the same date addressed a letter captioned ‘Notification about the change in the board and management of the Mainstream Bank Registrars Limited’, to the Director-General of the Security and Exchange Commission, Abuja.

The offences according to the prosecutor, Mr. Ayokunle Fayanju, are contrary to sections 244(1) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act. Cap. C20, laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable under section 244(3) of the same Act.

The two accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge.

At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, a lawyer from the EFCC, Murtala Usman, informed the court of the inability of the agency to commence trial, due to absence of the first witness in the matter, whom he said was outside the jurisdiction of the court.

Usman therefore urged the court for a very short date, to enable the witness present in court.

Lawyer to the accused persons, Mr. Samuel Ague, urged the court to discountenance the submission of the EFCC lawyer.

The lawyer told the court that the prosecution did not take into consideration of his clients, adding that the agency had six witnesses in the matter, and it cannot tell the court that because the first witness is indisposed, another witness cannot give evidence.

Following the submission of the EFCC lawyer that his witness was indisposed, the court adjourned the matter till January 23, 2018.

In the same vain, the EFCC has also filed another criminal charge against the two accused persons before Justice Mojisola Dada, of Ikeja High Court of Lagos state.

Though, the arraignment of the accused persons before the court yesterday, was stalled due to their absence.

Their arraignment has however been adjourned till January 16, 2018.

Peter Fowoyo