Tom Awhana, the former Head of Chambers for the Law Office of Mr. Mogbeyi Sagay, a late Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) was on arraigned on Friday at an Ikeja Special Offences Court for stealing N188.7 million belonging to the law firm of the late senior lawyer.

Awhana was arraigned alongside Paul Okoro a former lawyer in the law firm who is also accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of stealing N3.6million from the firm.

Awhana and Okoro pleaded not guilty to a joint charge of conspiracy to steal.

Okoro denied the charge of stealing while Awhana pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge of stealing.

According to the EFCC, Awhana was the Head of Chambers of the law firm of Mogbeyi Sagay and Co. from 2010 to 2018.

Sagay his Principal, died in 2012.

He was made signatory to the law firm's Zenith Bank Account alongside three administrators of the late SAN's estate.

It was allegedly mandated that three persons out of the four administrators can withdraw from the bank account with the cheque booklet of the Zenith Bank account in Awhana's possession.

The prosecution said that unknown to the staff of the firm, other administrators and the consultant to the law firm, Awhana opened other secret bank accounts in the name of Mogbeyi Sagay (SAN) and Co. in FCMB, Union Bank and Heritage Bank Plc.

The first defendant (Awhana) is alleged to have diverted drawn cheques into those secret accounts. He is also alleged to have from 2012 to 2017, stolen a total of N188.7 million belonging to Mogbeyi Sagay (SAN) and Co.

Okoro, the second defendant, is alleged by the prosecution to have from Oct. 14, 2012 to June 28 2013, stole N3.6 million belonging to the law firm.

According to the EFCC, the offences contravene Sections 287 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos 2015.

Following the plea of the defendants, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, the lead prosecuting counsel for the anti-graft agency, requested for a trial date adding that the court should impose stiff bail conditions on the lawyers.

"I have discussed with my learned friends, I will leave it to my lordship to impose bail conditions that will make the defendants available in court throughout this trial," Oyedepo said.

Ms. Oluwaseun Olusiyi, the defence counsel to Awhana, via a bail application dated May 17 asked the court to grant him bail in self recognisance.

"The first defendant is a legal practitioner of high repute and negotiations towards an amicable resolution are underway with the complainant. He was the Head of Chambers of the firm," Olusiyi said.

Mr. K. U Ani, the counsel to Okoro the second defendant in his bail application dated May 17 also asked the court to grant him bail on self recognisance.

"The second defendant has fractured his legs and is depending on medical treatment. I ask that ypu grant him bail on self recognisance My Lord," he said.

Justice Mojisola Dada in a short ruling noted that settlement talks were ongoing between the complainant and the defendants.

She ordered that as a bail condition, Awhana and Okoro should submit their international passports to the court.

"The defendants shall however submit their international passports pending the determination of this suit.

"They shall be remanded in prison custody till the perfection of their bail condition. This case is adjourned until June 4 for trial," she said.

Source:

http://saharareporters.com/2019/05/17/efcc-arraigns-two-lawyers-court-stealing-n1887m-dead-boss

Read More: http://nigeriapen.com.ng/efcc-arraigns-two-lawyers-in-court-for-stealing-n188-7m-from-dead-boss/

Lawyers from hades...

Nah where we dey work, we go chop..........

many lawyers aren't different from police and other corrupt officials.

they are all Nigerians with same mentality

Efcc news ti take over nairaland

I have nothing to say until the Court convicts them


They may be innocent after all....



But if indeed that nigga stole 188 million naira but was so stupid that he didn't deem it fit to disappear out of this shit-hole of a country, then he should be hanged for his stupidity

I am not encouraging stealing, but ibo people have this proverb... "if you want to eat a frog, eat a very big one so that when you are called frog eater, you will answer with pride .... What is worth doing is worth doing well... Even if na thief


Whatever your hands find to do, please do it very well

May be a selfish boss ..

How these people fracture their legs and neck once it is appointment at court, I don't know. . That is a case of stealing and criminal breach of trust. Fraud everywhere. Which way Nigeria?

Business is booming for efcc these days o

Mogbeyi Sagay. Is he related to Itse Sagay?

Na wa na different news person Dy see everyday

They will say since he's dead he no need the money again ..

Meanwhile it's my birthday today.. thanking God for adding another amazing year to me.

Nigerians have a penchant for dishonesty...

Even people who are well remunerated in this godforsaken country will still steal from you if the opportunity presents itself!

which way Nigeria? until the death penalty is adopted in some cases of stealing, kidnapping, cultism and worst still corruption, our country will NEVER change.....someone will steal 500m and the court will grant him bail of 100k?

Soft landing .not good at all

A profession where we suppose to have moralists and those of clean record, its a pity that we are having thieves there

Many lawyers are vultures. They always find a way to prolong cases to their own financial benefit.

That's why I don't in any way jump into any chambers, I prefer to use lawyers who are my relatives or friends from childhood or adolescents. Any other one will see you as a milkable cow.

A

Monkey dey work,baboon dey chop.awon ogbologbo ghost workers

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Person wey steal money as big as this go think to travel, u wan make he dey wash poo overseas

Sellfish:
I have nothing to say until the Court convicts them


They may be innocent after all....



But if indeed that nigga stole 188 million naira but was so stupid that he didn't deem it fit to disappear out of this shit-hole of a country, then he should be hanged for his stupidity

I am not encouraging stealing, but ibo people have this proverb... "if you want to eat a frog, eat a very big one so that when you are called frog eater, you will answer with pride .... What is worth doing is worth doing well... Even if na thief


Whatever your hands find to do, please do it very well

The EFCC seems to be very much active these days.
Nicely done