|
EFCC is
still fishing
for evidence….Daniel’s counsel tells court
Newsdiaryonline Mon Nov 28,2011
Ex Gov Daniel
The lead counsel to Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Professor Taiwo
Osipitan has hinged the delay in the ongoing trial of the former
governor of Ogun State at an Abeokuta High Court to the fact
that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC was not
ready with its case case.
Professor Osipintan told Justice Olanrewaju Mabekoje at the
resumed hearing of the case that the EFCC was still fishing for
evidence against his client. He disclosed that as at Friday
November 25, the EFCC was still interrogating those it intended
to use as witnesses in the case. “We've been served with the
amended charges just this morning. The charges and the proof of
evidence are in two volumes and run into 1068 pages.
We believe that the EFCC is yet to complete its work; its
investigation is still work in progress. They are still shopping
for witnesses. They are not ready, they are still interrogating,
and they should have completed interrogation before proceeding
to arraignment not the other way round. There is likely to be
further amendment. We are ready but EFCC has shifted the goal
posts again and they are likely to shift it again since they are
still fishing for evidence” the Senior Advocate of Nigeria told
the court.
On the new amendment to
the charges which included 27 new ones, Professor Osipitan said
he and his client would need ample time to prepare the defense
and also prepare documents to counter them.
He told the judge that the 27 new charges were just
brought to the notice of the defense and Otunba Daniel in the
morning of the resumed hearing.
“We need time to prepare our defense since the EFCC (has)
used one month to fish
for evidence, we were served less than 30 minutes ago. We want
an adjournment. We don't want to take chances. Our constitution
says that, “Every person charged shall be given adequate time
for preparation of his defense. Our client has not seen the
document. We need time to be able to prepare. They used a lot of
time to fish for evidence”.
The counsel to the EFCC Rotimi Jacobs admitted that the amended
information was filed this morning. He also conceded that the
defendant may require time to respond. After listening to both
counsels and since there was no objection on the adjournment
being sought by the defendant, Justice Mabekoje thereafter
adjourned the case to January 19 and 20, 2012 for the taking of
plea and the commencement of trial.
Th
This is the document referred to in the Witness
Statement on Oath of Clifford O. Kokogho as
“Exhibit
COK.2”
|
