The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday rejected the bid to field an official of Ecobank Plc to as a prosecution witness in the trial of a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and six others.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting the defendants on amended 10 counts of fraud, with the ex-SGF being accused of benefiting illegally from the approval of N544m for grass-cutting and simplified irrigation in the North -East region of the country.

Others with whom Lawal is being prosecuted by the EFCC are his brother, Hamidu David Lawal; a director of Rholavision Engineering Limited; an employee of the company, Sulaiman Abubakar and the Managing Director of Josmon Technologies Limited, Apeh John.

All the defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges..

Justice Jude Okeke, in a ruling on Monday, upheld the defendants’ objection which they had earlier raised on June 10, 2020 agaisnt the testimony of an Ecobank’s Compliance Officer, Chidi Eboigbe,

The judge anchored his decision, disallowing the witness based on the failure of the anti-corruption agency to include Eboigbe in its list of witnesses served beforehand on the defendants.

He ruled that the omission by the commission violated Section 379 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2011.

He, however, however ruled that the EFCC could still call the witness to testify after amending its proof of evidence to include Eboigbe as a witness in its list of witnesses.

EFCC’s lawyer, Offem Uket, asked for an adjournment to file the additional proof of evidence.

Defence lawyer, Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN), expressed displeasure over EFCC’s request for an adjournment which he said was informed by the commission’s failure to keep its house in order.

Another defence lawyer, Sunday Ameh (SAN), representing the second defendant, adopted Olujinmi’s position.

Justice Okeke adjourned till September 14 and 16 for continuation of trial.

https://punchng.com/court-stops-banker-from-testifying-against-babachir-lawal/

Procedural law is causing us hardship in this country what is difficult if you take another date put your house in other and return the judge should also consider that new stuff come up everyday as the agency keeps digging
And allow them to add new witnesses and new evidence as they find

We will never have true justice if we keep adherence to all these archaic nonesense

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This EFCC sef, they do things like a disorganised agency.
People that are always in court should have known how to fight the court fight well.

They will sha do, do make Babachir no go jail under Buhari.

No problem, he shouldn't rejoice. The God who caught up with OUK will catch him no matter how long

EastGold:
They will sha do, do make Babachir no go jail under Buhari.

No problem, he shouldn't rejoice. The God who caught up with OUK will catch him no matter how long

Gbam!

This is Efcc that's in court everyday, yet they still don't know the right things to do. Before you know it, the case would be thrown out for lack of diligent prosecution.

ChoCho54:
Gbam!

This is Efcc that's in court everyday, yet they still don't know the right things to do. Before you know it, the case would be thrown out for lack of diligent prosecution.

But, come o ChoCho54, shey na u dey drink beer for that ur profile or the woman na ur sister, or momsy?
Just asking ni o

DuBLINGreenb:
Procedural law is causing us hardship in this country what is difficult if you take another date put your house in other and return the judge should also consider that new stuff come up everyday as the agency keeps digging
And allow them to add new witnesses and new evidence as they find

We will never have true justice if we keep adherence to all these archaic nonesense

Pls read the post till the end before u comment

The judge said efcc shld first amend it's processes

ChoCho54:
Gbam!

This is Efcc that's in court everyday, yet they still don't know the right things to do. Before you know it, the case would be thrown out for lack of diligent prosecution.

U that knows the right thing why not go and take over

EastGold:
They will sha do, do make Babachir no go jail under Buhari.

No problem, he shouldn't rejoice. The God who caught up with OUK will catch him no matter how long

Lol stop calling God for naija matter biko
Everybody including u is corrupt. When it favours u u go call am connection.

EastGold:


But, come o ChoCho54, shey na u dey drink beer for that ur profile or the woman na ur sister, or momsy?
Just asking ni o

I'm the one. My mom and sister are both on NL and use their own pictures as dp.

allthingsgood:


U that knows the right thing why not go and take over

I can't serve in a government where the head is a Lifeless Sudanese

ChoCho54:
I can't serve in a government where the head is a Lifeless Sudanese

So in other words you're a hopeless wailer

allthingsgood:


So in other words you're a hopeless wailer

Yes o!

After all, my vote doesn't count

But just like the other guy said, God will intervene on behalf of the hopeless! Remember Abacha

ChoCho54:
Yes o!

After all, my vote doesn't count

But just the other said, God will intervene on behalf of the hopeless! Remember Abacha

Don't call God my dear. Dont let him release thunder on your head. Cheers

allthingsgood:


Don't call God my dear. Dont let him release thunder on your head. Cheers

He will start with you, that's why you are scared of thunder. Your hands are soiled!

Visit Ize iyamu for deliverance.

ChoCho54:
He will start with you, that's why you are scared of thunder. Your hands are soiled!

Visit Ize iyamu for deliverance.

Hahaha
U be comedian oo

ChoCho54:
I'm the one. My mom and sister are both on NL and use their own pictures as dp.

Big head.
I will report you to SARS

I see babachir Lawal getting discharge and acquitted soon.

EastGold:


Big head.
I will report you to SARS

Report me to sars because I was drinking beer on hijab? Mumuric was right about you Yoruba redeemed church members after all!

The game plan is obvious.It's not the same grasscutter Lawal Babachir riding on the same crest of corruption as Gandollar in the APC guber council in Edo state.EFCC my foot.Meanwhile, Magu has become the hunted now too by the cabals.

ChoCho54:
Report me to sars because I was drinking beer on hijab? Mumuric was right about you Yoruba redeemed church members after all!

What has Yoruba got to do with benign jokes with you this early morning?

EastGold:


What has Yoruba got to do with benign jokes with you this early morning?

Haba nau! And you couldn't see the sarcasm?

ChoCho54:
Haba nau! And you couldn't see the sarcasm?

I been wan carry you to Magu before ni

allthingsgood:


Pls read the post till the end before u comment

The judge said efcc shld first amend it's processes

Ok