The re-arraignment of the companies followed an application by EFCC, seeking a separate trial of the former governor and the four companies that were his co-accused in the alleged money laundry offences, due to Nnamani’s frequent overseas medical treatment, which had dragged their arraignment for over seven years.
At the last hearing of the matter, the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Yunusa, had granted the anti-graft agency’s application. At the re-arraignment, the companies were alleged to have between February and March 2007, failed to comply with the lawful inquiry of Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, who was then EFCC’s Director of Operations, to investigate the alleged offences by not releasing their cash book, fixed assets, various vouchers and cheques and failure to give break down, of their trade creditors and showing their names and amounts from 2002 till 2006.
The offences according to the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Kelvin Uzozie are punishable under section 38(2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, 2004. The four companies, though not represented by anybody, but their lawyer, Mr. Ricky Tarfa, SAN, pleaded guilty to the nine count charges on their behalf.
Following the guilty plea, the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Uzozie, urged the court to adjourn the matter for review of facts of the offences. The companies’ lawyer, Mr. Ricky Tarfa, informed the court that he will inform the accused companies’ secretary to write a letter of undertaken to the alleged crimes and their plea. Consequently, he adjourned the matter till May 27, for review of the facts of the matter.
Source: Vanguard
No comments:
Post a Comment