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Tag: Federal High Court

  • EFCC: Patience Jonathan’s ally Shagaya’s account lawfully frozen

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told the Federal High Court in Lagos that it lawfully froze the account of a businesswoman and socialite, Hajiya Bola Shagaya.

    It prayed the court to dismiss her application seeking to unfreeze it.

    Besides, EFCC said Shagaya, an ally of ex-First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, allegedly frustrated its efforts to conclude investigations on a suspicious Unity Bank account with a balance of over N1.9 billion.

    The commission said it invited the woman but she refused to honour it.

    This, EFCC said, made it difficult “to conclude investigation and file a charge against her”.

    An operative, Oghare Ogbole, in a counter-affidavit opposing Shagaya’s suit, justified the “No Debit Order” placed on the account.

    Justice Muslim Hassan made the interim freezing order on December 29, 2016.

    The businesswoman filed an application urging the judge to vacate it.

    She said she was denied fair hearing.

    But, EFCC claimed that the N1.9 billion found in the Unity Bank account was the balance of a total of N3,305,150,000, which Shagaya received as “founder fees” on behalf of an organisation, “Women for Change”, which is being spearheaded by Mrs. Jonathan.

    The EFCC claimed that the N3.3 billion was realised through Shagaya’s “fraudulent activities in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation,” where she allegedly “influenced the fraudulent allocation of Dual Purpose kerosene to Index Petrolube Africa Ltd., with the aid of the former First Lady”.

    According to the EFCC, the N3.3 billion was paid by Index Petrolube Africa Ltd and its sister company, Autodex Nigeria Limited.

    The two companies, it said, belong to one Honourable Ezeani ThankGod, adding that the reason for the N3.3 billion payment was to “fraudulently facilitate Dual Purpose Kerosene to ThankGod’s company, Index Petrolube Africa Ltd”.

    The anti-graft agency claimed that out of the N3.3 billion, Shagaya had “paid a cumulative sum of N1,212,000,000 to the former First Lady, Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan, through her account, ‘Women for Change Initiative’ account domiciled in Diamond Bank, to which the former First Lady is the sole signatory”.

    It said after paying N1.2 billion to Patience, Shagaya kept the balance of N1.9 billion for herself by “warehousing” same in her personal bank account in Unity Bank.

    The EFCC said it was on this basis that it secured an order of Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos on December 29, 2016 to freeze the account.

     

  • I didn’t receive N450m in cash – Belgore

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mr Dele Belgore on Monday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that he did not receive the N450million he was accused of laundering in cash.

    Testifying in his defence before Justice Rilwan Aikawa, Belgore admitted being invited by the bank manager on March 26, 2015.

    He said he could not move the money because it was too risky to do so two days to election.

    The Kwara State Coordinator of the President Goodluck Jonathan Presidential Campaign Organisation said he realised that the money was too huge for his Toyota Prado jeep.

    “I indicated to PW1 (bank manager) that I could not collect the money and I gave two reasons.

    “First, I said this money was coming two days before the election; all the stakeholders and party members were aware of the arrival of the money.

    “Therefore, I did not consider it safe to move such a huge amount of money out of the bank in the middle of the night.

    “The second reason was that I did not come prepared to receive and take away such a large amount of money, as I came only in my vehicle, a Toyota Prado jeep.

    “As I said earlier, the heap of cash that I saw in the bank’s loading bay was at least three to four feet high.

    “So, I told PW1 that if it took a bullion van to transport the cash from the Central Bank of Nigeria to Fidelity Bank, there was no way I would be able to evacuate those funds with my Toyota Prado.”

    Belgore said he signed for the money and agreed to leave it in the bank’s vault.

    “After signing the document, I left the bank without the money. I did not take a penny out of the bank; I left the bank empty-handed,” he said.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Belgore with a former National Planning Minister Prof Abubakar Suleiman and former Petroleum Resources Minister Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke (who is said to be at large).

    EFCC said they “directly took possession of the sum N450million,” adding that they “reasonably ought to have known [that the money] forms part of the proceeds of unlawful act.”

    It also accused them of “indirectly” using the sum of N450million on March 27, 2015 and making cash payment of N450million, which exceeded the amount authorised by law.

    In the nine-count amended charge, EFCC accused Alison-Madueke, Belgore and Suleiman of making cash payment of N10million to a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kwara State Dr Emmanuel Onucheyo.

    The commission said they also paid N10million to a Commissioner of Police in the state Garba Saliu.

    According to EFCC, they allegedly made the payments on March 27, 2015 without going through a financial institution.

    The sums, the commission said, exceeded the amount authorised by law and violated Section 1(a) and Section 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act of 2012 and punishable under Section 16 (2) (b).

    The defendants were also accused in the amended charge of making cash payment of N61,656,000 to Isa Biu on the same day, exceeding what is authorised by law.

    EFCC said they also paid N87,962,000 to Sola Adeoti and Hajiya Dankaka on the same day “without going through a financial institution.”

    According to the commission, Mrs Alison-Madueke, Belgore and Sulieman, on the same day, made cash payment of N50million to one Sheriff Shagaya, an amount exceeding what is authorised by law.

    They pleaded not guilty.

    Justice Aikawa adjourned until February 28.

  • I remain APC Niger East senatorial candidate, says Umaru

    Senator David Umaru has declared he remains the All Progressives Congress (APC) Niger East senatorial candidate despite a ruling by Federal High Court, Abuja to the contrary.

    The incumbent lawmaker said: “I was the candidate that was duly screened and cleared to contest the 5th October 2018 primaries for my senatorial zone.

    “I remain the bona fide candidate of APC in the forthcoming senatorial election in Niger East Senatorial District until the decision of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.”

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday declared Alhaji Mohammed Sani as the authentic APC candidate of the Niger East Senatorial District.

    But Umaru argued the Court has no power to nominate a candidate for a political party, declaring the party is supreme and has the final say and decision.

    He faulted the Judge for ignoring the evidence of the defence and assuming the responsibility of nominating its preferred candidate.

    “The learned trial court ignored the evidence of the defence and assumed the responsibility of nominating its preferred candidate.

    “I am therefore appealing the decision of the trial court because it is the responsibility of the court to determine who should be the candidate of a political party at elections.

    Read Also: Umaru tackles Bello on incessant travels abroad

    “Another fundamental reason why I am challenging the decision of the learned trial Judge is that the trial court proceeded to hear and determine the matter without jurisdiction as the suit was filed in breach of the provisions of section 285(9) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.”

    Umaru disclosed that he has filed a notice of appeal and stay of execution against the judgements.

    According to him: “The law is tried and there is a plethora of Supreme Court decisions affirming the finality of the decisions of political parties regarding nomination if candidates.”

    The Senator, who urged his supporters to continue with their campaign activities, said he is no stranger to court battles and is determined to fight the battle to the last.

    “I am not a stranger to court battles as my entire political career has been shaped by court decisions. On several occasions in my political career, I relied in courts for justice.

    “I do believe that the decision of the trial court which gave judgement to the Plaintiff was based on erroneous understanding of the law and facts placed before the court.“

  • BREAKING: Court acquits Ladoja of N4.7b fraud case

    Justice Mohammed Idris on Friday acquitted former Oyo State Governor Chief Rashidi Ladoja over alleged N4.7billion fraud.

    The judge delivered judgment in the trial.

    He faulted the prosecution’s case, saying it was full of contradictions.

    He said the case was badly prosecuted.

    The judge said EFCC’s case lacked credible evidence and that the prosecution’s case was full of contradictions.

    Justice Idris held that the prosecution failed to prove a single ingredient in the 11-count charge.

    “The court found the defendants not guilty,” the judge held in 11 counts.

    He started reading the judgment at about 10am at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    He began by announcing that the judgment was up to 250 pages, but that he would skip some aspects.

    “I examined 914 tendered documents forensically,” he said.

    “If have to read the entire judgment, we’ll leave here by 6pm. So I’ll skip some.”

    The 11-year-old case was filed in 2008.

    Justice Idris is the third judge to handle the case after Justices I. M. Sanni and A. R. Mohammed.

    Twelve witnesses were called in the course of the trial, six each by the prosecution and defence.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned Ladoja last November 5 following an amendment to the charge.

    The case went up to the Supreme Court due to interlocutory appeals filed by Ladoja.

    Ladoja was re-arraigned along with his former Commissioner for Finance Waheed Akanbi on 11 counts of money laundering and unlawful conversion of public funds.

    In the amended charge, EFCC added that Ladoja allegedly “compelled” a broker to sell the state’s shares.

    EFCC alleged that the former governor allegedly did not remit N1.9billion realised from the sale of the shares.

    The prosecution and the defence adopted their final written addresses and made closing arguments on January 21.

    Justice Idris, who was elevated to the Court of Appeal, concluded the trial through a fiat.

    EFCC accused the defendants of converting N1,932,940,032.48 belonging to Oyo to their personal use through the Guaranty Trust Bank account of a company, Heritage Apartments Limited, despite knowing that it was proceed of crime.

    The prosecution said Ladoja removed £600,000 from the state coffers in 2007 and sent it to Bimpe Ladoja in London.

    Ladoja also allegedly bought an armoured Land Cruiser jeep with N42million for himself using public funds.

    EFCC said he converted N728,600,000 and another N77,850,000 at different times in 2007, and allegedly transferred N77, 850,000 to Bistrum Investments, which he nominated to help him purchase a property named Quarter 361 in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

    The alleged offence, EFCC said, contravenes sections 17(a) and18 (1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004, punishable under sections 14(1), 16(a) (b) and 18(2).
    Ladoja and Akanbi pleaded not guilty.

    Ladoja was governor from May 29, 2003 to January 12, 2006 when he was impeached. On November 1, 2006, the Appeal Court Ibadan, declared the impeachment null and illegal.

    The Supreme Court upheld the decision on November 11, 2009, and Ladajo resumed office on December 12, 2006. He, however, lost a re-election bid.

  • BREAKING: Court to deliver judgment Friday in Ladoja’s N4.7b fraud trial

    The Federal High Court in Lagos will deliver judgment on Friday in the 12-year-old trial of former Oyo State Governor Chief Rashidi Ladoja for alleged N4.7billion fraud.

    It was learnt that parties have been served with hearing notices.

    Lead prosecuting counsel Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN) confirmed that his law firm got the judgment notice.

    Asked if it was true that judgment would be delivered tomorrow, he replied “Yes”.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned Ladoja last November 5 following an amendment to the charge.

    The commission first charged him with converting the money from the state treasury to his personal use in 2007.

    The case went up to the Supreme Court due to interlocutory appeals filed by Ladoja.

    Ladoja was re-arraigned along with his former Commissioner for Finance Waheed Akanbi on 11 counts of money laundering and unlawful conversion of public funds.

    In the amended charge, EFCC added that Ladoja allegedly “compelled” a broker to sell the state’s shares.

    EFCC alleged that the former governor allegedly did not remit N1.9billion realised from the sale of the shares.

    The prosecution and the defence adopted their final written addresses on January 21 and and made closing arguments.

    Justice Mohammed Idris informed parties that they would be notified once the judgment was ready.

    EFCC accused the defendants of converting N1,932,940,032.48 belonging to Oyo to their personal use through the Guaranty Trust Bank account of a company, Heritage Apartments Limited, despite knowing that it was proceed of crime.

    Read Also: Judgment reserved in Ladoja’s N4.7b fraud trial

    The prosecution said Ladoja removed £600,000 from the state coffers in 2007 and sent it to Bimpe Ladoja in London.

    Ladoja also allegedly bought an armoured Land Cruiser jeep with N42million for himself using public funds.

    EFCC said he converted N728,600,000 and another N77,850,000 at different times in 2007, and allegedly transferred N77, 850,000 to Bistrum Investments, which he nominated to help him purchase a property named Quarter 361 in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

    The alleged offence, EFCC said, contravenes sections 17(a) and18 (1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004, punishable under sections 14(1), 16(a) (b) and 18(2).

    Ladoja and Akanbi pleaded not guilty.

    Ladoja was governor from May 29, 2003 to January 12, 2006 when he was impeached. On November 1, 2006, the Appeal Court Ibadan, declared the impeachment null and illegal.

    The Supreme Court upheld the decision on November 11, 2009, and Ladajo resumed office on December 12, 2006. He, however, lost a re-election bid.

  • Court to PDP: present flags to INEC-approved Ogun candidates

    The Federal High Court in Abeokuta on Thursday refused the application of a member of the House of Representatives Oladipupo Adebutu and others seeking to prevent the Governorship Candidate of the PDP in Ogun State, Senator Buruji Kashamu and others from being joined as “necessary and interested parties” in a suit pending before the court.

    Adebutu and others had filed the suit in which they are asking the court for an order of mandamus to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish their names in place of the ones already published by the Commission.

    When the matter came up on Thursday, counsel to Kashamu and others, Prince Raphael Ajibola Oluyede, informed the court that his clients who are the candidates whose names had been published by INEC were interested in the matter but were not joined. Hence, they had filed an application as interveners who are willing to be joined.

    But, counsel to the Plaintiffs, Mr. Afolabi Fashanu (SAN) objected to the joining of the applicant/interveners.

    After much argument, the court presided by Justice Abubakar Shittu held that the applicant/interveners were necessary parties that should have been joined. Consequently, the court joined them.

    Thereafter, Oluyede informed the court that they had filed an affidavit disclosing that the Plaintiffs and their collaborators were parading themselves as candidates of the party while they were still before the court praying to be declared as candidates.

    He added that they plan to hold a rally on Saturday where they will be paraded and flags presented to them as candidates of the party even when INEC has not published their names and for which reason they were before the court.

    Oluyede submitted that such an action could lead to a breakdown of law and order and render the case before the court nugatory, if the court does not intervene, adding that the Police have already summoned an emergency security meeting based on the tension being generated by the matter.

    He prayed the court to direct the Police not to grant any permission for a rally where flags will be presented to Adebutu and others.

    Read Also: 2019: Obasanjo meets with politicians in Ogun

    Alternatively, he urged the court to declare that if such a rally must hold, it is only those whose names have been published by INEC as the authentic candidates of the PDP in Ogun State that should be presented as candidates of the party in the state.

    Fashanu opposed the prayers, saying they were speculative.

    Ruling on the prayers, the court held that where the issue of a potential breakdown of law and order was raised, it has a duty to look at it and take steps to prevent it, adding that the Rule of Law was the basis upon which INEC and the parties conduct their activities.

    The court held that where the Rule of Law was jettisoned, it would result in the breakdown of law and order such as being raised by the applicant.

    The court then directed the parties in the matter (i.e. the plaintiffs and the respondents) and their counsel to refrain from being used to foist a fait accompli on the court or cause a breakdown of law and order.

    It also directed PDP not to hold anyone out or present anyone as candidates except those who names have been published by INEC pending the hearing and determination of the suits before it, stressing that anything done contrary to the position of the law would be contemptuous and could lead to the breakdown of law and order.

    The court adjourned till 14th February, 2019, for hearing of the substantive suit and all pending applications before it.

  • Court names Ogara Enugu APC’s governorship candidate

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday declared George Ogara the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Enugu state.

    Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accept Ogara as the governorship candidate of the APC in Enugu state, having scored the highest valid votes casted in the 270 Wards of the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.

    The judgment was on a suit by Ogara, in which he named Senator Ayogu Eze, APC’s National Chairman, a chieftain of the party, Prof Moses Momoh and INEC as defendants.

    Justice Ekwo ordered INEC to recognize Ogara as the candidate of the APC for the purpose of 2019 governorship election in Enugu state.

    The Judge was of the view that the direct primary election of the party that produced Ogara as the party’s governorship candidate in Enugu was in compliance with the party’s guidelines as well as the Electoral Act.

    He ordered APC and its National Chairman to forward Ogara’s name to INEC as the party’s flagbearer in the 2019 governorship election in Enugu state.

    The Judge also restrained INEC from accepting any other name except that of Ogara, for the purpose of the 2019 governorship election in Enugu state, having scored the highest votes in the primary elections.

    Justice Ekwo declared that the plaintiff, having scored the highest number of votes cast by members of the APC in Enugu State for the Governorship direct primary election conducted on October 4, 2014 at the 260 Wards, is the nominated Candidate of the APC.

    He said the failure of the 2nd to 4th defendants to forward the name of the plaintiff to the 5th defendant (INEC) as the candidate of the 4th defendant (APC) and the refusal of INEC to publish the name of the plaintiff as the candidate of APC for the governorship election, is contrary to the provisions of Section 87 (3) of the Electoral Act. 2010 (as amended) and Article 20 of the APC Constitution.

    The judge further said: “Plaintiff’s name is entitled to be forwarded by the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants to the 5th Defendant as the Candidate of the 2nd and 4th Defendants in the 2019 Enugu State Governorship election.

    “That the direct primary election for Governorship aspirants conducted on 4/10/2018, wherein the plaintiff emerged as the winner on 4/10/2018, having scored the highest number of Votes cast in the said direct primary election for Enugu State Governorship aspirants is consistent with and in compliance with the provisions of Section 87 (3) of the Electoral Act. 2010 (as amended) and Article 20 (iii) of the A11 Progressives Congress Constitution, 2014 (as amended).”

  • Updated: Diezani bribe: ‘Disgraceful’ INEC chiefs jailed seven years

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday sentenced a former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Administrative Secretary in Kwara State Mr Christian Nwosu to seven years imprisonment.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned him for accepting bribe from former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    Also sentenced to seven years was his co-accused, a former INEC official Mr Tijani Bashir.

    EFCC said the defendants conspired to directly take possession of N264,880,000, which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of an unlawful act – gratification.

    Nwosu, who had initially pleaded guilty to receiving N30million bribe from Mrs Alison-Madueke to rig the 2015 general election results at his arraignment on April 5, 2017, changed his plea to not guilty when he was re-arraigned.

    Bashir was accused of indirectly taking possession of and retaining N164,880,000, which he reasonably ought to have known forms part of gratification.

    He also concealed N30million, being part of the proceeds of an unlawful act: “criminal misappropriation”.
    The alleged offences were committed on March 27 and April 7, 2015 and violated provisions of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.

    Justice Mohammed Idris, who concluded the case despite being elevated to the Court of Appeal, had on Thursday held that the prosecution proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

    The judge, however, could not pass a sentence on the defendants due to Nwosu’s absence due to Ill-health.

    Read Also; Court convicts INEC chiefs for receiving bribe from Diezani

    Handing the final verdict on Friday, Justice Idris sentenced Nwosu to seven years imprisonment on counts one and two, and five years on counts three and four.

    He sentenced Bashir to seven years on count five, and seven years on counts six, seven and eight.
    Justice Idris sentenced them both to seven years each on count nine.

    The judge also ordered the forfeiture of property in Asaba, the Delta capital worth N25million, as well as N5million cash seized from Nwosu.

    Bashir is also to lose his Abuja property.

    The sentences are to run concurrently, the judge held.

    Justice Idris said: “The convicts were officials of INEC and were expected to conduct themselves as impartial umpires in carrying out their activities.

    “I understand it to be the mission of INEC to serve as an independent and effective election management body that is committed to the conduct of free, fair and credible election for sustainable democracy in Nigeria.

    “These convicts by their conduct acted in breach of these objectives. Their actions were a disgrace to the institution and a threat to democracy.

    “INEC officials must be made to understand that their conduct must be within the ambit of the law and that anyone who breaches the law will be dealt with to the full extent of the law.

    “It must be understood that leadership and governance are serious matters that should be handed over to the most patriotic, best informed minds and the brightest brains for purposes of accountability, responsibility and prosperity of our nation.

    “This country must not be allowed to descend into anarchy, despondency and political infamy by the conduct of an official of government.

    “This country cannot afford an unhealthy electoral body as we go into the forthcoming election. INEC must note that this country deserves a credible election. Anyone that acts contrary to the law will be dealt with.

    “In this regard, the country only needs those with indomitable courage and impeccable political will to perform this duty and those who play ignoble role must be identified.

    “Evil communication, they say, corrupts good manners. In the light of the alocutus, the court will temper justice with mercy to the extent only permitted by the law.

    “Again, a strong message must be sent to INEC that the eyes of the world is on them. The entire nation is watching and those who decide contrary to their code of office will be identified.

    “When they are identified, they will be prosecuted and if found guilty will be punished severely.”

    Before the verdict, defence counsel Victor Opara had urged the court to temper justice with mercy, saying Nwosu was a first offender.

    He said the convict served in INEC for 35 years and is now 64 years and unwell.

    Bashir’s lawyer K.I. Marcus also urged the court to consider that his client is a single parent who lost his wife last October and is taking care of four children alone.

     

     

     

  • Trial of oil companies on environmental pollution begins

    The Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa on Tuesday began hearing on multiple cases filed against oil companies by the Bayelsa State Government.

    The government through the office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kemasuode Wodu, instituted a number of suits challenging reckless degradation of the state’s environment by oil companies operating in Bayelsa.

    Three of the suits were slated for hearing but the court presided over by Justice Inyang adjourned the matters to February 11 to enable the government resolve some technical issues.

    Kemasuode, who appeared personally accompanied by four other lawyers, said the government was determined to pursue the matters to their logical conclusions.

    He said the government, in fulfilling its responsibilities, dragged the oil firms to court following environmental problems their activities were causing in many parts of the state.

    He lamented that oil spills occurred on daily basis in Bayelsa without the companies responsible for them conducting remediation to restore the environment.

    Read Also: NNPC, oil companies agree to end JVC

    Kemasuode said the oil multinationals shied away from even paying compensation to persons, whose property had been damaged by the spills.

    The commissioner regretted the irresponsible behaviour of the companies was causing serious health challenges such as cancer and respiratory problems to residents.

    He said: “The state government filed a number of suits against the oil companies because of the environmental problems that they have been causing in the state as a result of their activities.

    “As we know these spills occur every day and they don’t even carry out remediation of the environment.

    “They pay no compensation to even persons whose property had been damaged by the spills.

    “We know that there is a rise in the occurrence of cancer and so many other health challenges in the state.

    “So, the state government cannot fold its arms. We have decided to approach the court to test the position of the law with respect to compelling these companies to be alive to their duties and responsibilities.

    “We have to ensure that they carry out remediation first. They don’t always do it.

    “Most times they spend one to two months before they visit spill sites. The spilled crude oil would have seeped into the environment. But we must take actions. These are the kind of actions that we had filed.

    “We feel that the state government has the right to enforce observance of rules and regulations in the oil and gas exploitation business”.

     

  • Trial of Ladoja ends; court reserves judgment

    A Federal High Court Lagos on Monday, reserved judgment in the criminal case against a former Governor of Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja, and one of his aides, Waheed Akanbi, charged with N4.7 billion fraud.

    Justice Mohammed Idris reserved his judgment after counsel representing parties had adopted their final addresses before the court.

    Ladoja was charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with converting N4.7billion from the State’s treasury to his personal use.

    He was re-arraigned along with Akanbi, his former Commissioner for Finance on 11 counts charge of money laundering and unlawful conversion of public funds.

    They had pleaded not guilty to the charges, and were granted bails.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that evidences in the trial closed on Nov. 17, after Ladoja had given his evidence before the court.

    The court had then adjourned for adoption of final addresses.

    Adopting his address on Monday, the prosecutor, Mr Oluwafemi Olabisi urged the court to hold that the prosecution had been able to establish its case against the accused based on evidences adduced.

    He argued that the crux of the prosecution’s case centred on money received as proceeds of crime.

    According to him, offences of this nature do not give room for acknowledgment of monies taken from government coffers.

    He added that the court was enjoined to look at circumstantial evidences in arriving at its decision.

    Olabisi urged the court to discountenance evidences adduced by defence witnesses, and hold that the prosecution had been able to establish its case against the accused.

    On his part, defense counsel, Mr Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika urged the court to discharge and acquit the accused on the grounds that the prosecution had a weak case incapable of securing any conviction.

    “If there is no foundation, the super structure cannot stand,” he said.

    Read Also: Ladoja’s supporters: we will remain in ADC

    Olumide-Fusika argued that no prosecution witness was able to link the accused with the alleged offences, adding that the prosecution was only concerned with securing conviction at all cost.

    Besides, defense argued that the statement used by the prosecutor in his written address that “the second defendant in the very least, did conspire to commit the offence” was incapable of establishing his guilt.

    He urged the court to be sensitive to evidences adduced as PW2 who testified as having engaged in the sale of the Oyo State shares was never charged.

    In all, he urged the court to discharge and acquit the accused as there was no shred of evidences against them, adding that the evidences by prosecution witnesses, even supports the innocence of the accused.

    After listening to the submissions of counsel, Justice Idris commended them for seeing the trial to conclusion.

    He informed parties that his judgment would be reserved, and that hearing notices would be sent to counsel in a short while.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that after the close of prosecution’s case, the accused had opted to file a no case submission before the court, contending that the prosecution failed to establish a case against them.

    But in its ruling, the court had dismissed the no case submission, and held that based on a preponderance of evidences as put forward by prosecution, there was no doubt that the accused had some explanations to make.

    NAN reports that in the charge, the accused were alleged to have conspired to siphon and launder N4.7 billion from the coffers of Oyo State government.

    The EFCC also accused them of converting N1.9 billion belonging to the state for their personal use through the account of a company known as Heritage Apartments Ltd.

    The anti-graft agency claimed that the accused retained the money sometime in 2007, in spite of their knowledge that it was proceeds from a criminal activity.

    Ladoja was accused of removing 600,000 pounds from the state coffers in 2007 and sent to his daughter, Bimpe in London.

    In addition, the ex-governor was accused of converting N42 million belonging to the state for his personal use and subsequently used same to purchase an armoured Land Cruiser.

    The EFCC added that Ladoja converted N728 million and N77 million at different times in 2007 for his personal use and transferred same to Bistrum Investments for the purchase of a property in Ibadan.

    The offences contravenes the provisions of Sections 14, 16, 17 (a) and 18 (1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004, according to the EFCC.

    NAN