EFCC counsel withdraws from trial of Lagos Speaker

[TGD]

 THE trial of the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, over alleged misappropriation of funds at the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday suffered a set-back following the sudden announcement of withdrawal from the case by the prosecuting counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Godwin Obla.

Obla's withdrawal was made known to the court when the case was mentioned and a representative of the EFCC, Mr. Alli Yusuf, informed the court of a letter of withdrawal written by Obla, in which he said he has withdrawn from the suit.

He, therefore, prayed the court to grant three weeks' adjournment to enable the EFCC study the file and provide another counsel to take over prosecution of the case.

Obla's decision may not be unconnected with his insistence that the trial judge should suspend proceedings so that the matter could be reassigned to another judge in view of the judge's imminent retirement.

He had expressed fear that the matter will start de novo (afresh) if the judge retires without concluding the case, a condition he said, is certain based on his conviction that the judge can't deliver judgment before bowing out of the Bench.

But in his letter, Obla attributed his withdrawal to the other matters he has. He said various days, totaling 13 in the month of April, which the court fixed for the hearing on the matter, would not be convenient for him.

He said these dates would considerably constrain his ability to diligently prosecute the matter, as he has other legal proceedings before various courts and arbitral tribunals within and outside the country, which conflict with the dates fixed by the court.

Obla said he had advised EFCC to retain the service of another counsel whose calendar can accommodate the dates fixed for the matter by the court.

In response to the withdrawal, counsel to the defendants, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) and Mr. Tunde Akinrimisi, told the court that the prosecutor had exhibited a high level of indifference in handling the matter since its commencement.

According to the defence counsel, the case cannot be said to have been diligently prosecuted by Obla, who was alleged to be in the habit of asking for frivolous adjournments.

They, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the charge against the defendants.

In his ruling, Justice Okechukwu Okeke observed that the case had suffered numerous adjournments especially at the instance of the prosecution.

He, however, said he would avail the EFCC a timeframe within which to find a replacement of the prosecutor.

He, therefore, adjourned the case to April 24 at the instance of the EFCC.



The Guardian

[Folami David]

Misappropriation of funds should in no way be encouraged in whatever area and at whatever time. It is a high level of corruption