Former Jigawa state governor, Lamido and sons trial adjourned
– The trial of former governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido and his sons alleged N1.3 billion fraud continued today
– At the hearing, the prosecution and defense counsel tried to convince the judge whether a document should be admitted
– After listening to both side, the judge adjourned the case
The trial of a former governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido and his sons – Aminu and Mustapha Lamido, has been adjourned.
The judge over the case, Ademola Adeniyi said the new adjournment date will allow the prosecution furnish the defense with all relevant document relevant to the matter.
At the resumed hearing today, February 10, a prosecution witness 10 (PW10), Keheinde Abermagba informed the court that he was not with his subpoena.
Abermagba, a compliance officer with Access Bank told the court that he had with him documents relating to opening of account and statement of accounts of Mustapa Lamido Dantata and Sawoe among others.
But in his objection to the documents presented before the court, the defense counsel, Joe Agai said: “My lord, the witness is under subpoena to produce documents of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company Limited but he brought with him “alleged” statement of account of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company Limited.”
Agai explained that the document tendered before the court is a statement of account for Dantata and Sawoe and not that of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company Limited, adding that there is a difference between a limited company and its subsidiaries.
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Although the witness had earlier informed the court that the name of the account was shortened by the bank due to its length, the prosecuting counsel, Chile Okoroma in his objection asked the court to discountenance the argument by Agai.
He said the issue before the court is not on difference between what you have in the account opening document but on whether the document is admissible by the court, asking that the objection by Agai should not be sustained.
But Agai said that when a witness is under subpoena by the court the issue of relevance and weight of document does not come up.
He argued that companies having both limited and subsidiaries is a well known fact and that there is a difference between both.
Agai went on to say that by producing a document from what the court orders is a violation of court order. He further urged the court to reject the document.
But Okoroma in his reply said the defense counsel was making a mountain out of a mole hill.
After listening to all submissions and objections made by both parties, the judge admitted the document.
Adeniyi said: “It is the court’s opinion that the documents are relevant and also admissible by this court.”
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On the issue of subpoena, Adeniyi advised the prosecution to make all documents relevant to the matter available to the defense party.
This, Adeniyi said will prevent surprises as experienced by the PW9 and PW10 in court today.
He further adjourned the matter to Thursday, February 11, for continuation of trial.
Lamido is facing trial for abuse of his position as a governor of Jigawa state between 2007 and 2015.
The former governor alongside his two sons – Aminu and Mustapha Lamido – is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 27-count charge.
The charges include the use of his son’s companies as front to award contracts and also receiving kickbacks from contractors in the state.
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