EFCC officials escape conviction in Daniel’s case

Posted by admin EFCC Politics Thursday, February 16th, 2012

Court to rule on ex-gov’s motion March 2

TWO officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday escaped the wrath of an Abeokuta High Court Judge who summoned them to appear before him “unfailingly” to answer questions bordering on professional misconduct.

Justice Olanrewaju Mabekoje, who pardoned Mr. Seyi Folarin and Mr. Kamilu Gebi on “compassionate” grounds, however warned them not to repeat such mistakes, else they would be dealt with according to the law.

The two officials appeared on an EFCC programme broadcast on Channels Television during which they claimed that Justice Mabekoje had dismissed a motion filed by Daniel to challenge the court’s jurisdiction to try him.

They made the statement at a time when arguments on the motion were still on.

One of the lawyers on Daniel’s legal team, Mr. Yemi Oke, caused a stir yesterday at the court as he threw caution to the winds and almost attacked the EFCC officials who were in court to respond to Justice Mabekoje’s summons after the judge had retired to his chambers to consider the arguments by counsel to both parties to enable him rule on what to do with the two offending officials.

The Judge had hardly entered his chambers when Oke rushed to the EFCC officials shouting on top of his voice: “You see what you have caused, you see what you have caused,” seriously harassing the officials to the embarrassment of all present.

Meanwhile Justice Mabekoje adjourned to Friday, March 2, his ruling on whether the court has jurisdiction to hear the alleged charges of fraud brought against former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, by the EFCC over allegations of fraudulent practices during his eight-year tenure.

The EFCC brought a 43-count fraud charges against Daniel bordering on outright stealing of state funds and failure to declare his assets while in office contrary to provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

Daniel’s legal team, led by Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), at the start of the case in October last year argued that since the alleged offences were against Ogun State, the EFCC as a federal agency had no locus standi to try the case.

But the EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, insisted that the EFCC had the right to prosecute Daniel.

Osipitan concluded his reply to Jacob’s argument on point of law yesterday.

-Guardianwp_posts