The Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, told an Abuja Federal High Court
that it has enough evidence to dock the trio of Helyn Aninye, Chizobam
Ben-Okafor and Pon-Specialized Services Limited for offences bordering on
forgery and obtaining money under false pretence.
The trio were to have been docked on
an 18- count criminal charge on Monday but their pleas could not be taken
as their counsel, Olisa Agbakoba SAN, opposed their arraignment on the grounds
that the proof of evidence did not disclose a prima facie case against his
clients.
However, counsel for EFCC, Steve
Odiase, in his application for leave to prefer criminal charge against the
accused persons under Section 185 (b) of the Criminal Procedure Code, noted
that the proof of evidence speaks for itself.
He stated that the prosecution had
formulated issues for determination by the court in granting the application
which included whether the proof of evidence discloses an offence known to law
and whether there is a linking of the charge to the applicants.
The trial judge, Justice Olasumbo
Goodluck, advised counsel not to jump the gun by addressing issues in the
substantive case.
He, therefore, adjourned to
February 21, 2013 for ruling on both applications.
The accused were said to have on or
about the 3rd day of March, 2011 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High
Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja with intent to defraud, conspired
to obtain N1.413,507,951.50 under false pretence from the Federal Government of
Nigeria as subsidy for the importation of Premium Motor Spirit under the
Petroleum Support Fund.
Tribune
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