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Court rules on admissibility of defendants’ evidence in Diezani associate Omokore’s trial November 25

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Court rules on admissibility of defendants’ evidence in Diezani associate Omokore’s trial November25

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday picked November 25 for ruling on the admissibility of statements of the fourth and fifth defendants in the trial of the Chairman of Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited, Jide Omokore, and the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Limited, Victor Briggs, for alleged criminal diversion of about $1.6 billion.

Also arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are – the former Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Abiye Membere; Manager,  Planning, and Commercial of the NNPC, David Mbanefo; Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited.

Read also: Following rescue of 9 abducted Kano children from Onitsha, Ganduje calls for death penalty for kidnappers

Omokore is a close associate of a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is also wanted by the EFCC over alleged corruption and money laundering.

A statement issued by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said the sum is alleged to be the proceeds of petroleum products belonging to the Federal Government.

The statement read: “At the resumed hearing on October 31, 2019, counsel to Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited, (who are fourth and fifth defendants in the matter), Olaniran and Folabi Kuti, adopted their written addresses ahead of the ruling, while Oluwaleke Atolagbe who is the prosecution counsel also adopted his own written responses to the addresses filed by both counsel.

“Justice Dimgba adjourned till November 25 and 27 for ruling and continuation of trial.”

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