EFCC’s lawyer denies knowledge of Tukur’s settlement talks
MAY 7, 2013
L–R: Mr. Olawale Akoni, SAN; an EFCC official; accused persons, Mr. Mahmud Tukur; and Mr. Mamman Nasir, after their arraignment for the misapplication of fuel subsidy at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja ... on Wednesday
| credits: Odutayo Odusanya
| credits: Odutayo Odusanya
Prosecuting counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), at a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, on Monday, denied knowledge of any ongoing settlement talks between the commission and Mahmud Tukur.
Tukur, son of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Bamanga Tukur, along with others, including son of an Ibadan-based businessman, Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao, Abdullahi, is facing nine counts of alleged fuel subsidy fraud amounting to about N1.2bn.
Others accused persons are Alex Ochongor, and Tukur’s firm, Eterna Oil and Gas.
Tukur’s counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), insisted on Monday that talks with the EFCC to settle the charges out of court were ongoing, even when Jacobs said he was not aware of such.
The development followed the proceedings of January 30, 2013, when the counsel, who held brief for Jacobs, Mr. Tayo Olukotun, said Tukur’s discussion with the EFCC had “hit a brick wall”.
The trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, had then fixed Monday and Tuesday for the commencement of trial.
However, the trial was stalled on Monday as Olanipekun noted that in addition to the said ongoing talks with the commission, he had filed a motion seeking to quash the charges.
Responding to enquiry by the judge on why there were talks with the EFCC without the knowledge of the prosecuting counsel, Olanipekun said, “it is not every dirty linen we spread in the sun”.
Olanipekun added, “I am an officer of this court, I say this from the bar. Even as I speak now, we are still discussing with his clients.”
Jacobs, who said he was in court with the witnesses for the trial, added that the instruction was for him to continue with the case.
He said, “I am not aware of the discussions. The instruction I have is to go on with the case.”
The judge thereafter adjourned the matter to May 28 for the hearing of the application seeking to quash the charges after Olanipekun sought for time to file a written address in support of the request.
No comments:
Post a Comment