For a second time, trial of Ex-NIA boss, wife stalled

The trial of a former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo Oke and wife, Folashade, was again on Wednesday stalled as the case was not enlisted before the court.

The duo had been dragged before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court in Lagos by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) for allegedly concealing crime proceeds totalling $205 million.

The couple were alleged to have concealed the sum of 43.5 million dollars at a Federal Government of Nigeria in Flat 7B, No. 16, Osborne Road, Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos., an apartment purchased with the sum of 1.7 million dollars belonging to the state.

The EFCC also alleged that the defendants directly converted the sum of 160.8 million dollars property of the Federal Government of Nigeria to their own use.

The case earlier scheduled for February 1 for their arraignment was not listed before the court, forcing the court to adjourned to today.

The prosecuting counsel Mr Rotimi Oyedepo sought the indulgence of the court to give a clear direction on the circumstances.

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He expressed difficulty in serving the charge to the defendants, adding that he wished to predicate on the existing charge before the court to make certain applications.

He thereafter urged the court to compel the attendance of the defendants by way of summons or bench warrant.

Responding, Justice Aneke noted that the court would need something to act on although the rules have a provision to accommodate such plea.

The prosecutor was advised to present his application before the court as the matter was adjourned to February 7.

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