EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday insisted that the N380 million allegedly laundered through a bureau de change operator, Sanni Habibu Maigari by three Bayelsa officials belongs to the state.
EFCC’s counsel Mr. Festus Keyamo made this known at the resumed trial of the three officials who are facing a six-count charge of unlawful conversion, money laundering and mismanagement of about N2 billion before a Federal High Court, Abuja.
The officials are the Director of Treasury in Government House, Abbot T. Clinton, Director of Finance, Ikobho Anthony Howells and Dr Charles Sylva Opuala.
Although the counsel to first and second accused, Chris Uche (SAN), argued that the said amount was a security vote which usage the commission cannot question, but Keyamo countered him.
Uche, in a bid to discredit the Prosecution Witness (PW), Adebayo Adeniyi told the court that there was a contract award letter from Bayelsa State Government to Essien Briema Construction Company.
But Adeniyi explained that during the course of investigations there was no instruction from the state government to pay money to any construction firm. He added that the EFCC could not even trace any company that was awarded a contract in which the N380, 000, 000, 00 was paid into.
This revelation did not go down well with the defence counsel who demanded the account opening package exhibit.
Opposing the move, Keyamo said the procedure being adopted by the defence counsel was strange and did not exist in law, adding that the right procedure was to apply for a Certified True Copy (CTC) from the bank and not for EFCC to produce a document that did not emanate from it.
“We cannot be cajoled to bring a document and give it to the defence counsel, they know the procedure of the law,” Keyamo submitted.
Justice Donatus Okorowa however adjourned the case till today for continuation of cross examination from prosecution witness one.
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