Court grants application to include Lai Mohammed in N2.5b Digital Switch-Over fraud trial

An application to list former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, as prosecution witness in a trial of alleged misapplication of N2.5 billion Federal Government Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme was on Thursday granted by an Abuja Federal High Court.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) which is prosecuting the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Ishaq Kawu in the court for alleged abuse of office and money laundering, had requested including the former minister as its witness.

Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo-Giwa granted the application by the prosecution, the ICPC, following the withdrawal of the objection earlier raised by the defendants.

The Commission had filed a 12-count charge against Kawu, Lucky Omoluwa and Dipo Onifade, the Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Pinnacle Communications Limited, respectively.

Dr Alex Izinyon, SAN, Counsel to Omoluwa and Onifade, had filed a motion prohibiting the prosecution from listing Mohammed and Sabo as additional witnesses.

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At the resumed hearing of the trial on Thursday, Mr Abayomi Oyelola who held the brief of Iziyon, said they were withdrawing the motion opposing the list of additional witnesses by the ICPC.

Justice Oginbanjo-Giwa, thereafter struck out the motion by the defendants.

ICPC lawyer, E. A. Shogunle said he was withdrawing the counter affidavit because the period the applicants would be travelling fell within the court’s vacation.

Justice Oginbanjo-Giwa adjourned the case until Oct. 2 for continuation of hearing.

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