The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday accused former House Speaker Dimeji Bankole and his erstwhile deputy, Alhaji Usman Bayero Nafada of delaying trial.
They are facing a 17-count charge of criminal breach of trust, dishonest use of House of Representatives bank account to obtain loan before Justice Suleiman Belgore of an Abuja High Court.
The duo, who were arraigned on June 13, were to enter defence yesterday; but hearing was stalled following request by their counsel, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) for time to file an application for a no-case-submission.
Oyetibo told the court that he had just received the court’s record of proceedings of the evidence led by the prosecution.
Replying, the prosecution counsel, Festus Keyamo said the plea for more time was an attempt to delay trial which the trial judge, had promised to conclude before the end of the year.
According to him, the defence needed not to wait for the court’s proceedings before preparing for their defence.
Before adjourning till January 16, Justice Belgore directed the defence team to file their written addresses on the no-case-submission and urged the prosecution to reply before the next sitting.
The duo of Bankole and Nafada were arraigned on June 13, on a 17- count charge of criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and theft.
The accused allegedly shared the loan to members without the consent and approval of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the extant Revised Financial Regulations of the Federal Government, 2009.
The alleged offences are contrary to Sections 97(1), 286 and 311 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990, and punishable under Sections 287 and 315 of the same Penal Code Act.
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