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Absence of judge stalls ex-INEC chief Iwu’s N1.23bn fraud trial

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Former INEC chairman, Iwu, traces EFCC ordeal to 2019 presidential election

The Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday adjourned the N1.23billion fraud trial involving a former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Maurice Iwu.

The trial was adjourned due to the absence of Justice Nicholas Oweibo and in his absence, the parties were informed that the case had been adjourned till February 27, 2020.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo was said to be away on an official engagement.

The former INEC boss is facing a three- count charge of alleged fraud and money laundering leveled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

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In the charges against him, the EFCC alleged that between December 2014 and March 27, 2015, Iwu “aided the concealment of N1.23bn in the account of Bioresources Institute of Nigeria Limited with number 1018603119, domiciled in the United Bank for Africa.”

The Commission said he (Iwu) “ought to have reasonably known that the N1.23bn formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: fraud.”

He was first arraigned by the EFCC on August 8 before Justice Chuka Obiozor, who granted him bail in the sum of N1billion.

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