Alleged subsidy fraud: Oil firm MD slumps at trial

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8 years ago

There was drama in the Ikeja High Court on Friday, as the Managing Director of Ontario Oil and Gas, Adaoha Ugo Ndagi slumped and fainted just as Justice Lateefa Okunnu was about to sentence her and Walter Wagbasoma for their roles in defrauding the Federal Government of N1.9bn subsidy claim.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had arraigned Wagbasoma, Ndagi and a staff of the Petroleum, Pricing Products Regulatory Commission, Ebenezer Fakuade sometime in 2012.

While Justice Okunnu discharged and acquitted Fakuade, Wagbasoma, Ndagi and their company were convicted.

The drama however unfolded when the Judge asked for a thirty-minute recess to enable her write her judgement.

Shortly after the judge returned and was about reading the judgement, Ndagi who had been crying softly, slumped, let out a loud cry and started thrashing and subsequently fainted.

There was palpable pandemonium as her family members gathered around her and tried to revive her.

Justice Okunnu thereafter decided to read the judgement on Monday pending when Ndagi would get medical attention.

Meanwhile Ndagi who was vomiting and moaning loudly was rushed out of the court into a waiting car accompanied by two prison warders and was taken to Havana Hospital Surulere .

Wagbasoma who is the Chairman of Ontario was however not present in court as he is currency under house arrest in London.

Wagbasoma had reportedly sneaked out of Nigeria with a forged passport while his genuine passport was deposited with the Chief Registrar of the Lagos State High Court.

Wagbasoma was however arrested in Germany sometime in June by the interpol for another fraud crime which he allegedly committed in the United kingdom.

At the proceeding before Wagbasoma’s conviction, when the judge asked about his whereabouts, his Counsel, Edoka Onyeke told the court that his client was terribly sick at the National Hospital Abuja.

But EFCC prosecutor Rotimi Jacobs told the court that Wagbasoma had sneaked out of the country with a stolen passport, while also informing the court that Wagbasoma had three other international passports.

Justice Okunnu had immediately issued a bench warrant for Wagbasoma’s arrest.

EFCC had brought a case of conspiracy, obtaining property by false pretence, forgery and altering of documents.

However, sentencing has been deferred till Monday for ruling on judgement.