THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has insisted that members of the House of Representatives, Herman Hembe and Chris Azubogu must answer for the $4,095 estacode scam in which they were said to have been implicated in 2012.
The Commission told a Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja presided over by Justice Peter Kekemeke Tuesday, to disregard the no-case submission by the lawmakers.
The EFCC insisted that the federal lawmakers have a case to answer in the $4,095 estacode scam.
EFCC counsel, Chile Okoroma at the resumed hearing Tuesday observed that the arguments canvassed by the defence counsel in support of their applications are immaterial at this point, stressing that the fundamental issue remains that a prima facie case has been established against the defendants to warrant explanation from them before the court.
He said from available indications, the accused were deceptive which amounts to dishonesty and punishable under the relevant laws. He therefore urged the court to refuse the application.
Earlier, counsel to the accused persons, J.S Okutepa (SAN) and Onyenchi Ikpeazu (SAN) while moving their separate motions for no-case submission contended that estacode is money meant for a public servant who travels overseas. They said once the money is approved and the officer embarks on the journey, the money becomes his.
Hembe and Azubogu are being prosecuted by the EFCC for allegedly converting the $4,095 paid to them as estacode for a conference in Dominican Republic, which they failed to attend, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Act Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1990.
After listening to arguments from both sides, the presiding judge adjourned ruling to June 19, 2013.
The Guardian