The trial of John Yakubu Yusufu, a former director of the
Police Pension office who is being prosecuted before Justice Adamu Bello of the
Federal High Court, Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC
was today stalled, following an application by the defendant seeking to quash
the charges against him on the grounds that he had been tried and convicted on
similar charges.
Yusufu is facing a 4-count charge bordering on failure to
make full disclosure of assets and liability in his Assets Declaration form and
declare his interest in a company known as SY-A Global Services Limited.
At the resumed hearing on April 22, 2013 the defence
counsel, F. C Ibeh informed the court he had filed a fresh application on
Friday April 19, 2013 to quash the charge his client.
But prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, opposed the
application on the grounds that it was not ripe for hearing. He urged the court
to allow the first prosecution witness, Mustapha Sanni, an operative of the
EFCC to continue his testimony as the application by the defendant is intended
to stall the proceedings.
However, the defence counsel argued that the application is
fundamental to determining the direction of the case. “My Lord, the proper
disposal of this application will help steer the ship of this matter either to
proceed or stop, I therefore urge the court to pause and determine this
application which is supported by an affidavit, exhibits and a written
address”.
Justice Bello
consequently adjourned the case to May 16, 2013 for filing and adoption of all
written addresses on the motion to quash the charge.
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