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Tag: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

Rickey Tarfa has case to answer – Court

SAN’s N500m claim against EFCC dismissed

A Lagos High Court in Igbosere on Friday dismissed the no case submission made by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Rickey Tarfa.

Justice Adedayo Akintoye ruled that the prosecution – Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) – had established essential elements of the offences it brought against Tarfa.

The judge noted that the justice of the case thus requires that the court should demand some explanation from the defendant in respect of the charge.

She ordered Tarfa to enter his defence on the next adjourned date, March 13, 2018.

Justice Akintoye also dismissed a claim filed by the Learned Silk seeking N520 million from the EFCC as damages for alleged malicious prosecution.

The judge described it as unmeritorious.

The EFCC arraigned Tarfa on March 10, 2016 on a 27-count charge which was subsequently amended to 26 counts.

He was accused of alleged willful obstruction of authorised EFCC officials, refusal to declare assets and giving false information to a public officer, by lying about his age.

The agency also alleged, among others, that the lawyer offered N5.3million gratification to Justice Nganjiwa in order to compromise the judge.

Tarfa pleaded not guilty.

Read Also: Court dismisses Ricky Tarfa’s ‘no case’ submission

Last January 17, the Silk, through his counsel Abiodun Owonikoko SAN made a no-case submission asking the court to dismiss the charge because it was malicious.

He prayed the court to make an example of the anti-graft agency and “slam the hammer” on it with a N500m damages award.

“The specific ingredients were not proven. It is not as if the prosecution did not make an attempt, but that the attempt was so woeful,” Owonikoko submitted.

But EFCC counsel Mr Rotimi Oyedepo opposed Tarfa’s no-case submission, “because it amounts to contesting the obvious.”

According to Oyedepo, Tarfa misconstrued the no-case submission.

He said: “The prosecution is not expected to establish the guilt of the defendant, only to show that there is a prima facie case against the defendant.”

However, in her ruling yesterday, Justice Akintoye upheld the prosecution’s argument that a prima facie case had been made against the defendant.

The judge said: “What is expected of this court at this stage of no case submission is to look at the evidence adduced so far and determine whether a prima facie case has been disclosed against the defendant.

“At this stage also the prosecution is not required to have established its case beyond reasonable doubt against the defendant as the guilt of the defendant is not in issue at this stage.

“I have carefully evaluated the evidence so far, with the totality of evidence adduced before this honourable court, it is my opinion that the prosecution has established the essential elements of the alleged offences with which the defendant is charged.

Justice Akintoye also ruled that: “The evidence of the prosecution witnesses has not been discredited by the cross- examination of the defence counsel to the extent that no reasonable tribunal will simply convict based on it.

“I therefore hold that a prima facie case of failing and refusing to declare his assests, making false information to an officer of the EFCC, and offering gratification to a public official as stated in the amended information filed before this court has been made against the defendant.

“Therefore the defendant is called upon to enter his defence and the no case submission filed on his behalf is hereby dismissed.”

She added: “With regard to the defendant/applicant’s claim for exemplary damages for malicious prosecution against the EFCC, I find no merit in this claim of N520 million damages and same is refused.”

February 9, 2018
EFCC charges Goje, others with N5b fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed an amended N5billion fraud charge against former Gombe State Governor Alhaji Danjuma Goje at the Federal High Court in Gombe.

He is charged along with Alhaji Aliyu U. El-Nafaty, S.M. Dokoro Gombe (aka S.M Dokoro) and Alhaji Sabo Mohammed Tumu.

The defendants are yet to be arraigned.

The charge, numbered FHC/GM/33C/2011, was filed by EFCC counsel Mr Wahab Shittu.

EFCC said Goje, between September and November 2010, allegedly forged a document titled: Resolution authorising His Excellency the Executive Governor of Gombe State to acquire loan of N5,000,000,000.00 only, with Ref. No: GM/HA/RES/VOL. 1/17.

The commission said the resolution was purportedly signed by Clerk of the Gombe State House of Assembly Shehu Mohammed Atik.

It was claimed that the resolution arose from the House of Assembly’s proceedings, Shittu said.

The prosecuting counsel alleged all the information was false.

He said the intent was for the forged document to be used or acted upon as genuine by Access Bank Plc.

EFCC said the bank acted on the resolution in the belief that it was genuine in approving a N5billion facility to the state for infrastructural projects.

EFCC said Goje, between November2, 2010 and February 24, 2011, transferred the N5billion “allocated strictly for infrastructural projects to other purposes unconnected with infrastructural projects”.

The commission said the money was allegedly transferred to several individuals and corporate bank accounts as reflected in Gombe State Government Account No. 0003273131 and 0003273227 with Access Bank.

Shittu said they were acts of illegality, aimed at concealing the illicit origin of the money with a view to evading the illegal consequences of Goje’s action.

The offence, the lawyer said, contravenes Section 14 (1)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act) 2004 and is punishable under Section 14.

EFCC said the former governor transferred the money “without appropriation”, the sum “being facility obtained from Access Bank Plc for infrastructural projects, being an illegal act, concealing the illicit origin with a view to evading the illegal consequences of your action thereof”.

In the 20-count charge, Goje was accused of transferring N21,874,260.62 to his cousin Tumu “for the supply of food items to Gombe State Government House”.

EFCC said he “reasonably ought to know that the contract for the said food supplies awarded to the said Alhaji Sabo Mohammed Tumu was not the outcome of any competitive bidding process in accordance with the Due Process Guidelines contained in the due process circular reference No. GO/CS/S/MEM/VII/358, dated 25th February, 2008, adopted by your administration”.

Tumu was accused of laundering the sum in the name of supplying food items to Gombe State Government House when he knew or reasonably ought to know that the contract was not the outcome of any competitive bidding process.

Dokoro was accused of transferring, without reasonable excuse, 50 units of Toyota Hiace Buses owned by Gombe State Government valued at N242, 500,000.00 to government functionaries rather than by public auction.

EFCC said it was at a “gross undervalue of N22million as a reward with intent to confer undue advantage on the said public officials from bidding at a public auction”.

Goje and El-Nafaty were accused of mismanaging N1.6billion Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) funds earmarked for award of contract to Real Integrated and Hospitality Ltd for the supply of 1.4 million dictionaries to primary and junior secondary schools.

The amended charge, Shittu said, has been filed and served on the accused persons.

According to him, plea is likely to be taken on the next adjourned date, which is April 10 and 11.

February 8, 2018
Diezani cash: EFCC re-arrests ex-INEC chief for ‘diverting’ N450m

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Wednesday re-arrested a former Administrative Secretary at the Kwara State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Mr Christian Nwosu.

He was arrested after Wednesday’s proceedings in another criminal case at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

EFCC charged Nwosu and Tijani Inda Bashir with receiving N30million bribe from former Petroleum Minister Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke to rig the 2015 election result.

They were arraigned along with Yisa Adedoyin, who pleaded guilty to receiving cash payment of N70, 050,000.00 from Mrs. Alison-Madueke.

Mrs Alison-Madueke is also named in the charge, but is said to be “at large”.

Nwosu pleaded guilty when he was first arraigned, but changed his plea to not guilty after claiming EFCC induced him to plead guilty.

Yesterday, EFCC’s investor Usman Zakari tendered Nwosu’s account statements showing details of the N30million.

The witness said Nwosu received N17million in his Diamond Bank Plc account and N13million in his Union Bank Plc account.

Zakari also tendered some title documents of land allegedly acquired by Nwosu with some of the funds.

After the documents were admitted in evidence, the prosecution closed its case.

Defence counsel Victor Opara said his client would file a no-case submission, meaning they do not intend to call any witness to defend the case because they believe the prosecution’s case is weak.

After the proceedings, Nwosu and his co-accused were arrested.

It was learnt that their arrest was in connection to a fresh finding by EFCC that they allegedly diverted N450million to a company called Advaita Nigeria Limited through an INEC cashier.

Bashir is said to be a director in the company.

EFCC said Nwosu is a signatory to an account where the money was hidden, and that his wife benefited N11.8million.

The commission said Bashir got N25million through a company called Heiza Nigeria owned by his relative, Saliu Yakubu.

Nwosu had claimed that the N30 million he collected was for logistics purposes during the election, and that his office knew how the money was spent.

He also said the money was shared to INEC ad-hoc staff for logistics.

Nwosu had earlier claimed that EFCC allegedly forced him to surrender his property worth N30million, and that he was induced to part with N5million in a bid to regain his freedom.

According to him, the statements he made at EFCC were dictated to him while the one he made voluntarily was described as “rubbish”.

Justice Mohammed Idris adjourned till March 7 for hearing of the no-case submission.

February 7, 2018
EFCC’s witness to court: Oluwatosin Dokpesi got over N100m

The trial of businessman, Raymond Dokpesi resumed before a Federal High Court in Abuja Wednesday with a prosecution witness, Abubakar Madaki disclosing that Dokpesi’s wife Oluwatosin received over N100m from the N2.1bn allegedly paid to DAAR Investment company by the office of National Security Adviser (NSA).

Madaki, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said investigation did not reveal the existence of any contract between Dokpesi’s company and the office of the NSA to have warranted the payment of N2.1b to the defendants.

Dokpesi and DAAR Investment are being tried before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja by the EFCC for allegedly receiving N2.1b from the office of the NSA for an unknown contract.

Madaki, who was led in evidence Oluwaleke Atolagbe, Wednesday, the witness Abubakar Madaki told the trial court that “there was no contract and no reason for the payments.”

The witness gave details of how Dokpesi allegedly disposed the money paid by the office of the NSA.

He said that the EFCC traced part of the fund from DAAR Investment’s account to the Presidential Debate Group.

The witness said Dokpesi, who allegedly transferred the fund, claimed it was his contribution to the Presidential Debate Group.

The payment was captured in a letter by Abuja Investment Company, which the court later admitted in evidence.

The witness also named Alhaji Abubakar Jijiwa as one of the beneficiaries of the fund. He said Jijiwa confirmed, in his statement to investigators, that the N100m was given to him from the fund, as a soft loan, although the 1st defendant allegedly claimed that Jijiwa was paid as a resource person.

Madaki said one Timawus Martins was paid N20m, as a resource person, while Matthias, a staff of AIT Yola office received N8.1million as payment for political jingles .

The witness also told the court that Mathias, who was in charge of Yola office of AIT, received N4.5m as compensation for his vehicle that had an accident.

He added: “The sum of N4.3m and N2.3m was used for extension of electricity installation for AIT office in Yola and another N1.3m for borehole in AIT office in Yola.”

Madaki also named Mrs Oluwatosin Dokpesi, who he said got over N100m and “other various sums.”

He also told the court that two personal assistants to the 1st defendant (Dokpesi), Gabriel Agoyin and Godfrey Usifoh, received N40m and N30m.

He said the EFCC obtained responses from Silverbird, Punch newspaper, Guardian newspapers, Kiss Fm, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Capital FM, Leadership newspapers, Abuja Broadcasting, Media Trust and Nigerian Pilot Newspapers.

The court later admitted the letters from media houses as exhibits.

Madaki said when the EFCC wrote the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to ascertain if there was a contract for which the money was paid; BPP responded that there was no contract and no reason for the payments.

The witness, who concluded his evidence-in-chief Wednesday will be cross-examined by the defence when proceedings resumes in the case on March 9.

February 7, 2018
Allegation of evading EFCC mischievous, says Oduah

The Senator representing Anambra North, Senator Stella Oduah, Tuesday described as mischievous, a publication that she was evading invitations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement issued in Abuja, Oduah said that the report was the handiwork of political detractors whose aim was to pitch the anti-graft agency against her.

Reports in some national dailies and online media had indicated that the Chairman Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration was evading invitations to the commission to defend a N9.4 billion contract awarded during her time as Aviation Minister.

However the senator claimed that the story was mere fabrications which did not emanate from the EFCC.

She said that she had been in constant correspondence with the commission.

Oduah said that she is willing to defend her stewardship during her time as minister, adding that she followed due processes in all her dealings while in charge of the ministry.

“The season of politics is here again and some people must play the politics of pull down syndrome, this is what perhaps informed the fabrications in the story.

“How else do you explain that a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a law abiding citizen, a chief executive officer of multinational companies, would be evasive to honour an invitation if not a mere mischief, that is informed by dirty politics.

“Even the publication did not say that I stole any government money or awarded contracts to myself,” she said.

The senator said that she had carved a niche for herself in the business world, within and outside the shores of Nigeria even before she ventured into the murky waters of Nigerian politics in 2010.

According to her, she is a citizen of Nigeria, who has no other home but Nigeria and would not be distracted by activities of her detractors.

She stated further that this would not be the first time her detractors would want to use the media to tarnish her hard earned image.

Oduah stressed that the sinister purpose of the news story is to pitch her against the Commission and the general public.

She therefore urged her detractors to leave her alone and learn to play the politics of hard facts and issues.

She stated that contracts awarded under her watch as a minister were done in her official capacity and they went through due process.

The senator added that in her time as minister, she transformed the aviation sector and followed all established processes and procedures.

February 6, 2018
I sympathise with CCT chairman, says Saraki

Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Tuesday sarcastically expressed sympathy for the Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) Mr. Danladi Umar over his alleged travail in the hand of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Saraki in a post on his Face Book page said that the EFCC suddenly woke up four days to the resumption of his (Saraki’s) asset declaration case to slam a criminal charge against Umar.

He recalled that in April 2016, when his lawyers asked Umar to rescue himself from his (Saraki’s) case because of the criminal investigation against him, the EFCC swiftly cleared Umar of any wrong doing.

He wondered what has changed since April 2016 and few days ago to force the EFCC to file criminal case against Umar.

Saraki wondered “whether those who genuinely love this Government appreciate the damage that all this is doing to our so-called ‘War Against Corruption.”

The post read: “I sympathize with the Chairman of the Tribunal, Mr. Danladi Umar, for his travail in the hands of the EFCC which suddenly woke up 4 days to the resumption of this case to file criminal charges against him.

“You will recall that in April 2016, when our lawyers asked the Tribunal Chairman to rescue himself from our case, because of the criminal investigation against him, the EFCC swiftly cleared Mr. Umar of any wrongdoing.

“Now, I find it amusing, that in a dramatic turnaround, this same EFCC now thinks that Mr. Umar has a case to answer just before the commencement of my case before him. What has changed since April 2016?

“As much as many Nigerians want to continue to believe that this case is merely about asset declaration irregularities, the maneuvers, manipulation, intrigues, schemes, and “House of Cards” nature of this whole case proves otherwise.

“I really wonder whether those who genuinely love this Government appreciate the damage that all this is doing to our so-called ‘War Against Corruption.’

“However, in all of this, my confidence in the judiciary and its ability to do justice in all cases, remains unshakeable. — Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki”

February 6, 2018
EFCC recovers N473b, $98.2m, £294,851 in 2017, says Magu

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was able to recover crime – related funds amounting to N473b in addition to $98,258,124.97; £294,851.82; €7,247,363.75; 443,400 Dirham and 70,500 Rand, the Commission’s acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu has said.

Magu also confirmed that identified whistle blowers, including the Osborne Towers, Ikoyi whistle blower were being paid timely to encourage other Nigerians buy into the policy.

During the course of 2017, the Commission also succeeded in securing final forfeiture of the Osborne Towers, Ikoyi cash of $43m as well as N32b; $5m recovered from a former Petroleum Resources Minister and N449m discovered at Legico Plaza in Victoria Island, Lagos, he said.

While defending the Commission’s 2017 budget before the Kayode Oladele-led House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes yesterday, Magu said the $43m Osborne Towers cash got forfeited to the Federal government because no one came forward to claim it.

The Committee had asked Magu whether the Osborne cash was ever traced to anyone.

In response, Magu explained that the document recovered from the property from where the money was recovered showed that it belonged to a company owned by the wife and son of a former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

However, after due diligence and no one coming forward to calm it, the court had to pronounce it’s final forfeiture, he said.

Among other recoveries and forfeitures from proceeds of crime, Magu said over N329b was recovered from petroleum marketers by the Kano office of the Commission; withholding tax recovery of over N27.7b from banks; €6.6m recovered from Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); recoveries of about N1.1b on behalf of AMCON; and recovery of subsidy fraud funds of over N4b.

Magu however reiterated government commitment to the whistle blowing policy, saying, promised incentives are being paid timely.

Saying that the Ikoyigate whistle blower has also been paid, Magu noted the payment policy was meant to encouraged more Nigerians to join in the campaign against corruption.

On the 2017 budget implementation, the EFCC boss complained of delay in fund releases which he said affected operations of the Commission

“Delayed and irregular release of the overhead component of the recurrent vote affected the commission’s investigation and prosecution activities especially in the Zones.

“Out of the total sum of total sum of N17,202,253,360 appropriated in 2017, only N11,737,492,342.07 or 68 percent has so far been released out of which N9,759,277,008.53 has been utilized.

“From the sum of N7,127,316,354 appropriated for Personnel, N6,533,373,324 was released; from N3,000,713,298 appropriated for Overhead only N1,667,007,163.70 has been released while from N7,074,223,708 appropriated for Capital expenditure, only N3,537,111,853.87 was released to the commission so far,” he added.

He also complained that the Commission’s 2018 budget proposal of N45b was reduced to about N21b, which is capable of hampering the activities of the Commission for the year.

Magu also informed the Committee that Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has been granted autonomy.

“In the course of the outgoing financial year, the NFIU was granted self-accounting status by both the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the Budget Office. Effective date of implementation is 1st January, 2018 with a budget proposal of N2.903b,” he said.

Of the sum, N339.350m was proposed for Personnel cost; N22.500m for meals and refreshment to cater for numerous sub-regional, national and internal meetings while N26.500m was proposed for publicity and advertisement for stakeholders in the financial sector.

February 5, 2018
Magu: Lawyers differ following court ruling

Senior lawyers yesterday expressed different views on the status of Ibrahim Magu as Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) following yeaterday’s judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Justice J. T. Tsoho said the senate acted within the law when it screened and rejected Magu’s nomination as EFCC chairman.

Prof Itse Sagay SAN, Seyi Sowemimo SAN, Festus Keyamo SAN and Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA ) Vice President Monday Onyekachi Ubani offered their thoughts pending when they read the full judgment.

Sagay said: “I don’t expect that the judgment will have an effect on Ibrahim Magu’s status as Acting EFCC Chairman. I don’t expect that there’s anything externally that is going to affect Magu’s position.

“I don’t know whether the judge considered Section 171 of the Constitution which even allows the President to appoint heads of agencies like Magu’s agency without any reference to the Senate. That is already there, so I don’t know what was brought to the court’s attention. When we see the full judgment we will be able to express our opinion.

Sowemimo observed, among others, that in the event that the ruling includes a court order removing Magu from office, he would probably seek a stay of execution and launch an appeal.

Keyamo noted, among others, the law did not prescribe a time limit for Magu to remain in an acting capacity.

Keyamo said: The fact that the law has not circumscribed the amount of time or the time period that someone can act as the head of an agency, it would mean therefore that I see no legal problem at all in Ibrahim Magu continuing to act as the Chairman of the EFCC, there is no legal impediment at all.”

But Ubani advised the Executive to “respect and obey the judgement of the

Federal High Court unless they have secured a contrary judgement from the appellate courts.”

February 2, 2018
Ambode inaugurates special courts for corruption, sexual offences

Governor Akinwummi Ambode of Lagos State Thursday inaugurated special courts for corruption, economic crimes and sexual offences with a charge judges to dispense justice fairly and speedily.

He told the judges that through this partnership, “your voice to our call to give Lagos a special status of zero tolerance to crime will be achieved”.

He spoke at the event which held at Rosaline Omotoso High Court Complex, Ikeja.
Ambode who was represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, also appealed to the bar to ensure swift and seamless prosecution of these offences.

The governor believed that the creation of the special courts would assist in expeditious prosecution of economic and financial crimes and ensure that justice is attained by bringing offenders to justice without delay.

Ambode noted that corruption constituted a major challenge to sustainable development of the country and has adversely affected the integrity, image and business confidence of prospective investors.

He said it is proper to classify Lagos, over 20 million population, as one of the most populous cities of the world ” and indeed the economic and financial capital of Nigeria and by extension of West Africa.

“This naturally makes it the most susceptible to perpetrators of these crimes”.
He said this was why the courts are being designated special courts to focus primarily on effective prosecution of these cases.

He however pointed out that the goal to make Lagos State a safe place to live, visit and do business can further be achieved if these specialized courts operate as conceptualized “, he said.
He said: ” these courts are an indication of our commitment at making Lagos uncomfortable for perpetrators of such offences and our judiciary, that has always led the vanguard at combating crimes in its own way, is resolved to discouraged same.

Lagos state Chief Judge, Justice Opeyemi Oke in a welcome address, disclosed that four courts have been set aside as special courts and that as at date, there are over 500 cases of financial crimes and 600 sexual offences pending before the high courts in the state.

She said the courts were set up following a directive from the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, to all heads of courts to dedicate some courts to determine corruption and economic crime cases.

“We believe strongly that the special courts shall fast track the trial of these types of cases and encouraged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other relevant bodies like ICPC to expedite the investigation and prosecution of such cases”, she said.

Justice Oke described sexual harassment and violence as serious threats and grave danger to women and children all over the world and a crime that has become an epidemic.

She explained that the inauguration of the Special Offences and Sexual Offences courts was aimed at enlightening and informing the public of the special attention the federal and state courts are prepared to invest in the elimination of the heinous crimes against humanity.

Wife of the Vice President, Mrs Oludolapo Osinbajo described as frightening of corruption and sexual offences cases in court.

“The statistics quoted by the Chief Justice of Lagos is very frightening; it only speaks of half of the true picture.

“Behind the figures are the faces of the affected women and girls as well as the men and boys.” Osinbajo said.

Giving examples of real life scenarios of sexual violence, Osinbajo said that victims of such offences should never be ignored.

“We should not ignore the trauma and nightmare that sexual offences bring, let us not forget the girls not only in Nigeria but all over the world,” she said.

February 1, 2018
Fani-Kayode to court: I have a heart ailment

The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday heard that former former Minister of Aviation Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has a heart-related ailment.

His lawyer Mr Norrison Quakers (SAN) told Justice Rilwan Aikawa that the former minister complained about “heart-related pain” and could not make it to court for his trial.

His absence stalled his trial for alleged money laundering.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) re-arraigned Fani-Kayode and former finance minister (state) Senator Nenadi Usman for alleged N4.6billion laundering and fraud.

They were arraigned along with a former National Chairman of the Association of Local Governments in Nigeria ( ALGON ) Yusuf Danjuma, and a company, Jointrust Dimensions Ltd.

When the case was called, only Usman and Danjuma stepped into the dock.

Before lawyers announced their appearances, Justice Rilwan asked why Fani-Kayode was not present.

Quakers spoke up, saying: “I was going to inform My Lord that the second defendant is indisposed. I got a call from his wife who said he was complaining of heart-related pain.”

Quakers said he expected to get a medical report on his client’s health condition before the close of work.

According to him, the issue of health could not be taken lightly considering several cases of sudden deaths, including that of a lawyer who collapsed and died in a courtroom while addressing a judge.

After formerly appearance, Quakers asked that the dates reserved for trial (yesterday and today) be vacated.

He said: “The second defendant is unavoidably absent as a result of health challenge, which information was related to me by the wife. I’ve requested for a medical report.

“If I get the report, I’ll furnish the court with it. I apply that tomorrow’s (today’s) date be vacated so that we can have another date for continuation of trial.”

EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo did not oppose the application.

The defendants were accused of indirectly retaining N1.billion, N300million, N400million and N800million, all proceeds of corruption, according to EFCC.

The prosecution said they allegedly committed the offence between January 8 and March 25, 2015 ahead of the general election.

Fani-Kayode was also accused of doing cash transaction of N24million with Olubode Oke without going through a financial institution.

The offence, EFCC said, violates sections 1(a) and 16(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 16(2)(b).

The defendants pleaded not guilty.

Justice Aikawa adjourned till February 28, March 1 and 2 for continuation of trial.

January 31, 2018