Court halts proceedings on ex-HOS Oyo-Ita’s, others’ trial

A Federal High Court in Abuja has stayed indefinitely further proceedings in the trial of former Head of Service of the Federation (HOSF), Winifred Oyo-Ita, and eight others on an 18-count money laundering charge.

In a ruling on Wednesday, Justice Taiwo Taiwo agreed with the defendants to stay further proceedings until the prosecution discontinues a related case pending before another judge -Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo – also of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

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Charged with Oyo-Ita are: Frontline Ace Global Services Limited, Asanaya Projects Limited, Garba Umar and his two companies – Slopes International Limited and Gooddeal Investments Limited – as well as Ubong Okon Effiok and his two companies – U & U Global Services Limited and Prince Mega Logistics Limited.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged the defendants with corruption, fraud, obtaining estacodes and Duty Travel Allowance (DTA) for journeys either not undertaken or not in existence, amounting to about N570 million.

They pleaded not guilty to the charge during their arraignment on March 23, 2020, following which the court adjourned for the commencement of trial.

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On December 1, 2020, when lawyer to the prosecution, Mohammed Abubakar, indicated his readiness for trial, lawyers to the fourth, fifth and sixth defendants (Umar, Slopes International Limited and Gooddeal Investments Limited), particularly Augustine Ananukwa, said the defence was not ready for trial.

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