The trial of former Interior Minister, Abba Moro resumed on Thursday with evidence from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to the effect that the companies that executed the contract for the mounting of the e-recruitment portal of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) are registered companies.
A prosecution witness, Muftahu Bello from the CAC registry department gave the names of the registered companies as Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited and Drexel Nigeria Limited.
Bello who testified as the fourth prosecution witness was summoned by the prosecution to tender documents in court relating to the trial.
The witness told the court that another company, Drexel Tech Global has not been registered with the Commission.
Several documents were tendered as exhibits by the prosecution before the court through the witness.
Meanwhile, the prosecution counsel has sought for an adjournment to enable him file and serve counsel to the defendants, additional proof of evidence to tender additional documents.
Although the prosecution witness had initially told the court that only one company from the three companies mentioned in the EFCC letter to CAC for investigation that was registered, he admitted under cross examination by counsel to Drexel Nigerial Ltd, Sunday Ameh [SAN] that two companies were actually registered by the CAC.
The witness confirmed that Drexel Tech Nigeria LTD and Drexel Nigeria Ltd are dully registered companies with the CAC and also admitted, under cross examination that although CAC has a legal department, he does not work in the said department.
Justice Dimgba adjourned the case to June 28 and 30, 2017 for continuation of trial at the instance of the prosecution counsel.
Abba Moro, former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Anastacia Nwobia, a Deputy Director in the ministry, F.O. Alayabami and a private company, Drexel Nigeria Ltd are standing trial over alleged N676million recruitment fraud.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), conducted recruitment on March 15, 2014, that led to the death of 15 applicants, while several others were wounded.
A former Controller-General of the Service, David Paradang, told the court that he was not aware of the 2014 recruitment.
At the last adjourned date, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) told the court that due process was followed in the award of contract to a private company, Drexel Nigeria Ltd for the mounting of the e-recruitment portal of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
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