The legal counsel to Mr Francis Atuche, the former
Managing Director of Bank PHB and his wife, Elizabeth,and the Efcc lawyer
today disagreed on d issue of alleged threat to the life of a witness
.
Mr Atuche, his wife Elizabeth and the former Chief financial officer of the bank, Ugo Anyanwu were arraigned before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for stealing N27.5 billion belonging to the bank
At the resumed hearing of the matter, the EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) had informed the court that based on the allegation of threat by their witness, they could not present him in court again, asking the court for an adjournment
At the last sitting of the matter, the prosecution had informed the court that their witness, Mr. Bolaji Ogunsola, a former Managing Director of Mortgage Bank PHB(a subsidiary of the bank) was absent over allegations of threat to his life and had asked for an adjournment.
The adjournment then was according to the prosecution in order to make proper arrangements for his security but on Monday, the prosecution still asked for an adjournment on the premise that they wanted to firm up security details for the witness
"
In reply however, Idigbe stated that he is completely at a loss with argument presented by the prosecution as it sounded peculiar that an adjournment is being sought twice to provide security for a witness whose life is allegedly being threatened.
MR Anyanwu's counsel, Mr Sylva Oguemoh also aligned with the submissions of Idigbe (SAN). He informed the court that the defence hands are clean and they have made their position clear on the matter.
Justice Okunnu adjourned the matter till November 19, 2012 for the prosecution to produce the witness for further trial.
Mr Atuche, his wife Elizabeth and the former Chief financial officer of the bank, Ugo Anyanwu were arraigned before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for stealing N27.5 billion belonging to the bank
At the resumed hearing of the matter, the EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) had informed the court that based on the allegation of threat by their witness, they could not present him in court again, asking the court for an adjournment
At the last sitting of the matter, the prosecution had informed the court that their witness, Mr. Bolaji Ogunsola, a former Managing Director of Mortgage Bank PHB(a subsidiary of the bank) was absent over allegations of threat to his life and had asked for an adjournment.
The adjournment then was according to the prosecution in order to make proper arrangements for his security but on Monday, the prosecution still asked for an adjournment on the premise that they wanted to firm up security details for the witness
"
In reply however, Idigbe stated that he is completely at a loss with argument presented by the prosecution as it sounded peculiar that an adjournment is being sought twice to provide security for a witness whose life is allegedly being threatened.
MR Anyanwu's counsel, Mr Sylva Oguemoh also aligned with the submissions of Idigbe (SAN). He informed the court that the defence hands are clean and they have made their position clear on the matter.
Justice Okunnu adjourned the matter till November 19, 2012 for the prosecution to produce the witness for further trial.
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