Court refuses EFCC’s application to visit allegedly stolen property

Justice Mohammed Idris of a Fedetal High Court in Lagos, on Thursday stopped the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from visiting to the scene of alleged crime, in the trial of a former Chief of Air Staff, Adesola Amosu over N22.8 billion fraud.

Amosu is charged alongside two other officers of the Air Force – Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and Air Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga

Also charged are some companies, namely: Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil and Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites BDC, and Fonds and Pricey Ltd.

EFCC’s lawyer, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, had on Wednesday had made an oral application urging the court to visit the “locus in quo” for the purpose  of admitting in evidence, various immovable properties allegedly acquired by the accused.

“A locus in quo” is a legal term used to describe a visit to the scene of an alleged crime or where an immovable property of an alleged crime reside.

In opposition, defence counsel Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) had argued that a court’s visit to a “locus” is not at large.

According to him, any visit must be specific, direct and linked to evidences already given in the course of proceedings.

He had urged the court to refuse the application.

Delivering his ruling on the application on Thursday, Justice Mohammed Idris held that such visit at this stage of the proceedings was premature.

“I find that the circumstances surrounding the application for a locus in quo is immaterial at this stage of the proceedings; a visit to the locus at this stage is premature.

“I hereby refuse the application to conduct such visit at this stage, “he held.

Jutic Mohammed Idris consequentially adjourned until October. 3 and 4 for continuation of trial.

The former Air Force Chief and others are standing trial bordering on conspiracy, stealing and money laundering.

In one of the counts, the accused were said to have indirectly converted the sum of N3.6 billion belonging to the Nigerian Air force, to their own use.

Amosun and the others were also accused by the EFCC of stealing over N323 million from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force between March 21, 2014 and March 12, 2015.

He said the alleged theft was for the purpose of purchasing for themselves a property situated at No.1, River Street, Wuse II Abuja.

They were arraigned before Justice Mohammed Idris on June 26, 2016, and had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Idirs had granted them bail in the sum of N500 million each, with two sureties each in like sum.