In this concluding part of our review of high-profile corruption trials today, we will review the trial of former Secretary to the Federal Government, Engr. Babachir Lawal, and three others allegedly involved in grass cutting scam worth over five hundred million naira.
We will also look into the case of an official of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Ms. Philomina Chieshe, who claimed that some funds kept in her custody in Markudi, Benue State, by the organization was swallowed by a mysterious snake.
Read on:
Babachir Lawal in N544.1 million contract scam
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) opened its case in the trial of former Secretary to the Federal Government, Engr. Babachir Lawal, by presenting its first witness, Hamza Adamu in January, 2019 before Justice Jude Okeke of the Federal High Court in Maitama, FCT.
The former SGF and three others were allegedly involved in grass cutting scam worth over five hundred million naira.
In June, 2019, the court refused to admit some documents including payment vouchers tendered by the EFCC on the ground that they were not certified.
The court dismissed the prosecution’s contention that the rejected documents were single document since they were attached to a certified copy.
But the judge added in his ruling that it was the duty of the court to examine all the documents tendered to determine whether they were admissible or not.
He ruled: “I have examined the bundle of the documents and it consisted of original documents with attachments of uncertified ones, a total of 17 documents.
“The documents are bearing different dates. Besides this, there are also numbered as different exhibits.
“The mere fact that they are stapled together does not make them one document”.
Of the 17 documents tendered, the judge admitted seven original copies and rejected 10 which were photocopies and not certified.
Trial continues.
Philomina Chieshe in N35 million “JAMB Snake” scandal
In May 2019, the EFCC arraigned an official of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Ms. Philomina Chieshe, who claimed that some funds kept in her custody in Markudi by the organization was swallowed by a mysterious snake.
She was arraigned before Justice Peter Afen of a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, alongside five others.
The controversial JAMB official is being prosecuted by the EFCC on an eight-count charge following her refusal to furnish the management of JAMB the true information on the financial status of JAMB e-cards supplied to the Benue Zonal office between 2014 and 2016.
Her actions were contrary to Section 139(a) of the Penal Code Law.
Other suspects arraigned alongside Philomina were Samuel Umoru, Yakubu Jekada, Daniel Agbo, Priscilla Ogunsola and Aliyu Yakubu.
Philomina told auditors that snake had eaten N35million kept in the accounts of JAMB in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
Trial has commenced on the case.
Read also:
High profile corruption: How Major Gen. Atewe allegedly stole N8.5b
[This Publication is based on a compendium by Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) covering corruption cases as at 22nd of November, 2019.
Conclusion:
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