Alleged N4.7bn fraud: Court adjourns trial of ex Oyo State Gov until July 4

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday further fixed July 4 for continuation of trial of a former governor of Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja, over alleged N4.7 billion fraud.

The ex governor is charged alongside one of his aides, Waheed Akanbi.

The accused are being prosecuted by The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris adjourned the case on Thursday, to allow for proper certification of all documents sought to be used by parties in the suit.

Before the adjournment, counsel to the second accused Mr Olumide Fusika while cross-examining a second prosecution witness, had sought to tender an extra-judicial statement made by the witness to the EFCC, as exhibit.

In opposition, the prosecutor, Mr Oluwafemi Olabisi, argued that the document was not properly certified.

He added that only the authority in whose possession the document resides, had the power of certification

In a short ruling, the court upheld the submissions of the prosecutor, and rejected the tendering of the document

The court consequently, directed the prosecution to assist the defence counsel in ensuring that the witness statement and every other document which required certification, were properly certified in accordance with the law.

The EFCC had in November 2008, arraigned the accused on a 10-count charge of conspiring to convert properties and resources derived from an alleged illegal act, with the intention of concealing their illicit origin.

The EFCC also alleged that Ladoja used N42 million out of the proceeds to purchase an Armoured Land Cruiser Jeep, and remitted about 600,000 pounds to one Bimpe Ladoja in London.

Ladoja and Akanbi had, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, and were allowed to continue on their earlier bail terms.