TVC E. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, July 4, struck out a case against the former minister of petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
At arraignment of the managing director, Atlantic NLNG drilling company, Jide Omokore and five others, the counsel to the defendants had argued that their clients cannot take pleas when the prosecution has shown any evidence of proof of service on one Kolawale Akane and Alison-Madueke (both at large).
The counsels argued that the former minister and Akane had been charged alongside Omokore and five others but the prosecution have failed to list them on the defendants list.
All the defense counsel further urged the court to ask the EFCC to put its house in order before bringing the charges against the accused persons.
To this the judge over the matter, Binta Nyako in agreement ruled that the charge brought before the court is not ripe for plea.
Following the judge’s ruling, counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs made an oral application to strike out the names of Alison-Madueke and Akane on the charge sheet. Jacobs further prayed the court to allow the accused persons take their pleas – a nine-count charge against them.
Striking out the names of the accused persons at large, Nyako further ordered that the six defendants present in court tale their pleas.
Omokore alongside five others are alleged to have been involved in various petroleum product fraud.
They are accused of making dubious claims of 13,000 metric tonnes with the Petroleum Product Regulatory Agency (PPRA) thereby pocketing N400 million extra through illegal importation of petroleum products.
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