Judge’s transfer stalls commencement of Saraki aide’s trial

The commencement of the trial of an aide to Senate President Bukola Saraki, Gbenga Makanjuola, facing charges of N3.5 billion fraud, before Justice Babs Kuewumi of a Federal High Court, Lagos, was on Thursday, stalled, following his transfer.

Kuewumi told parties in the suit that he had been transferred to the Sokoto division of the court, adding that it would be wiser to adjourn the case for the incoming judge to take over.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had preferred an 11-count fraud charge against Makanjuola, a Deputy Chief of Staff to Saraki, Melrose General Services Ltd., Obiorah Amobi, (Operations Manager at Melrose), and Kolawole Shittu, (a cashier).

The accused were arraigned on October 3, 2018, and had pleaded not guilty to charges, while the court had granted them bails in the sum of N250 million each, with sureties in like sums.

The court had then adjourned the case for the prosecution to open trial.

When the case was called on Thursday, Mr Ekene Iheanacho, announced appearance for the prosecution.

Messrs, K. T. Olaolu, Paul Erokoro (SAN), and Omeoga Chukwu, announced their appearances for the accused.

The prosecutor reminded the court that the case was slated for the prosecution to begin the trial, adding that subject to the court’s convenience, he was ready to proceed

Defence counsel also confirmed to the court that they were ready to proceed with the trial.

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Justice Kuewumi, however, said that the court will not be ready to proceed with the trial, as he had been posted out of the Lagos jurisdiction.

He said that in the circumstances, it will not be wise to open the case, but to leave the same for the incoming judge to handle.

Following consensus of parties, the case was consequently, adjourned until March 13, for a mention.

In the charge, EFCC alleged that the accused persons committed the offences in December 2016.

They were accused of conspiring to disguise the unlawful origin of the sum of N3.5 billion paid into the account of Melrose.

According to the prosecution, the accused took control of the sum which was transferred from the Nigeria Governors Forum’s account, into an Access Bank account operated by Melrose.

The prosecution said that the accused ought to have known that the sum represented proceeds of unlawful activities.

The offences contravened the provisions of Sections 15, 15 (2), 15(3), 18, and 18 (a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Amendment Act 2011.