The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lateefat Okunnu

  • Alleged N1.1b subsidy fraud: court admits more documents as exhibit

    A Lagos High Court, Ikeja, presided over by Justice Lateefat Okunnu admitted as  exhibits yesterday two new documents on the request of the defence in the trial over alleged N1.1 billion fuel subsidy fraud.

    The documents include a petition written by Falana and Falana Chambers  to the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on behalf of Mrs. Opeyemi Ajuyah and Majope Investment Limited, who are the first and second defendants in the suit.

    Also admitted as exhibit  was the statement by Mr. Adelakun Abolade Saheed, the surveyor from General Marine Oil Services Limited(GMO) at the Lister Terminal, where petroleum product was discharged by a vessel, MT Brave.

    Counsel to the EFCC, Seidu Atte, did not oppose the admittance of the documents.

    The EFCC had charged Mrs Ajuyah and Majope Investment Limited to court over alleged N1.1 billion subsidy fraud.

    On trial also are: Abdullahi Alao, son of Ibadan business mogul, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao; his company, AX Energy Limited; Olanrewaju Olalusi, a worker with Sterling Bank Plc.

    During cross-examination by counsel to the first and second defendants, Mr Olanrewaju Ajanaku, the EFCC witness, Effa  Okim, told the court that the petition from Falana and Falana Chambers, dated August 17, 2012, was received in the course of investigation into the alleged fraud.

    Justice Okunnu adjourned further hearing in the matter till September 16.

     

  • Counsel’s absence stalls oil marketer’s trial

    Counsel’s absence stalls oil marketer’s trial

    The trial of an oil marketer, Rowaye Jubril, at a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, was stalled yesterday, following the absence of the counsel to the prosecution, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The commission arraigned Rowaye Jubril before Justice Lateefat Okunnu of an Ikeja High Court.

    Jubril is being prosecuted with his company, Brila Energy Limited, for an alleged N963.7 million fuel subsidy fraud.

    The EFCC alleged that the defendant obtained the money from the Federal Government for the purported importation of 13,500 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    Jubril had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    At the resumed trial yesterday, the judge said the EFCC counsel, Mr Seidu Atteh, had sent a letter of apology that he would not be in court.

    Jubril’s counsel, Mr Wale Ilesanmi, also confirmed that the letter was served on the defence.

    Justice Okunnu adjourned the matter till January 22.

     

  • Judge advises EFCC against wasteful prosecution of cases

    Judge advises EFCC against wasteful prosecution of cases

    Justice Lateefat Okunnu of the Lagos High Court on Wednesday advised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to do a “thorough” study of petitions filed by complainants before proceeding to court.

    Okunnu gave the advice while delivering judgment in a suit instituted by EFCC against a clearing agent, Caleb Onwudinjo.

    The judge discharged Onwudinjo, 50, of the six count-charge of obtaining money by false pretence preferred against him by the anti-graft agency.

    She described Onwudinjo’s prosecution as “a waste of tax payers money,” adding that he ought to be compensated for his travails.

    Okunnu said EFCC failed to thoroughly investigate the claim by the petitioner, Mrs. Ifeoma Okereke, before charging the matter to court.

    The agency on December 16, 2009 charged Onwudinjo for allegedly obtaining N2.7 million from Okereke under the guise of helping her pay for a container.

    The container, which was to be auctioned by the Nigerian Customs Services at Ikorodu Terminal, contained a used Honda Accord car and other items.

    Okereke, an employee of Bank PHB Plc (now Keystone Bank), had claimed that the accused swindled her by making a false claim that she would be given the container.

    However, Onwudinjo had testified that the money she paid was collected by Customs officers as “underhand” payments to give her an edge over other bidders.

    He had maintained that he gave N2.6 million to a retired officer, Pius Abayomi, who facilitated the inspection of nine containers by the complainant to give her an edge in the bid.

    The accused had claimed that the transaction failed, following the transfer of some of the officers and Okereke started demanding for a refund of her money.

    Onwudinjo had also debunked the claim by the complainant that she gave him N5 million, insisting that only N2.7 million was paid into his Bank PHB account.

    In her judgment, Okunnu said Okereke’s testimony was inconsistent, full of half-truths and blatant lies, aimed at misleading the court.