Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of
the Federal Capital
Territory, High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, on Tuesday,
February 15, 2015 dismissed the application by Imaobong Akon Esu-Nte,
Head, Capital Accounts Unit, Nigerian Prisons Service, seeking to quash the 6-count
charge of stealing, abuse of office and money laundering brought against her by
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Esu-
Nte, who was arraigned on November 14, 2014,
is alleged to have abused her office by
stealing over N83 million of prisons funds with which she acquired exotic cars
and property across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), though she was on a
monthly salary of N121, 460 as a level 14 officer
She had pleaded not guilty to the charge and
was admitted to bail. However in bid to forestall her trial, the accused person
file an application before the court, questioning the competence of the charge.
She argued through her counsel, Titus
O. Ashaolu, SAN, that the charge against her did not disclosure a prima
facie case.
The application by the Abuja-based socialite was
also predicated on the grounds that the court lacks the jurisdiction to
entertain the charge.
However, counsel to EFCC, Larry P Aso, faulted the
process filed by the accused on the grounds that it was brought under an
unknown law. He submitted that the proof of evidence placed before the court by
the EFCC, provides sufficient evidence to link the accused with the alleged
offences and urged the court to refuse the application.
In his ruling, Justice Adeniyi dismissed the
application sought by Esu-Nte on the grounds that it lacked merit and substance.
The Judge held that, the prosecution has shown
beyond reasonable doubt that, there is a clear link or nexus between the
accused/applicant and the offences for which she was charged. “In the final
analysis, my conclusion and decision is that the facts contained in the proof
of evidence on record before this court are sufficient for the purpose of
proceeding with the trial of this case. I therefore find this application as
lacking in merit or in substance. It shall be and is hereby accordingly
dismissed” Justice Adeniyi ruled.
The case has be adjourned to March 17, 2015 for
hearing.
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