Press Release
 |
|
Abdulahi Alao
|
Justice Adebisi Akinlade of the Lagos High Court, sitting in Igbosere,
on Wednesday September 17, 2014, ordered that Abdulahi Alao, a defendant
standing trial in a N2.6billion scam, instituted against him by the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, should pay a sum of N50, 000 as fine to
the EFCC, for the failure of his counsel to appear in court for the
continuation of his trial.
A defence team led by Taiwo Osipitan (SAN) failed to show up in court on
Wednesday, for the cross examination of a prosecution witness, Laval Ahmed, who
also doubles as the principal witness in the ongoing trial of Alao and his
company, Axenergy Limited for their alleged involvement in a N2.6 billion oil
subsidy scam, under the Petroleum Support Fund, for a purported importation of
33.3million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Oluwatosin Dawodu who held brief for Osipitan, prayed the court to
adjourn to a later date, explaining that Osipitan was absent because he had to
attend a conference. But the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, immediately
prayed the court not to grant the application.
“This application is intended to
put wool in the eye of my Lord, I therefore urge my Lord to use the sledge
hammer of justice to prevent that from happening. And that the cost of
transportation of the witness be taken over by the defence counsel,” he said.
Justice Akinlade, who had earlier insisted that Dawodu must go ahead
with the cross examination of the witness, however granted the adjournment,
which according to her, was necessary to enable the defendant get deserved
fairness and proper representation. She also ordered that the transportation
cost of the prosecution witness be paid to him before the next adjourned date.
She subsequently adjourned the matter till October 8, 2014 for
continuation of trial.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
No comments:
Post a Comment