Politics
N22.8bn fraud: Ex COAS Amosun opts for plea bargain with EFCC
The case of former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosun (retd) and 10 others being tried alongside him on alleged fraud of N22.8 billion has been adjourned.
A Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Mohammed Idris on Tuesday, adjourned the case after the accused claimed that they are still in plea bargain talks with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and sought an adjournment to perfect their bail condition and to smoothen their talks with the EFCC.
The former Chief of Air Staff is being tried alongside two other officers of the Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and Air Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga.
Also tried along with them are eight companies, Delfina Oil and Gas Limited, Mcallan Oil and Gas Limited, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Limited, Trapezites BDC, and Fonds and Pricey Limited.
The EFCC lawyer, Oyedepo, had at resumed proceedings on Tuesday, told the court that he was ready to open his case against the defendants and had come with two witnesses to court for trial to commence.
Read also: CCT finds Orubebe guilty of false declaration, house seized
Responding, the defence counsel, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), told the court that the matter was only adjourned till Tuesday for mention and that the case could not be heard, adding that the record of the court could bear him witness.
Another defence counsel, Mr Norrison Quakers (SAN), in his submission agreed with Ayorinde. He said the defendants were still in plea bargain talks with the EFCC.
Justice Idris in his ruling said he found from the court’s record that the matter was deferred for mention and not for trial. He therefore granted the prayer of the defence counsel and adjourned the case till October 20, 21 and 24, 2016 for trial.
By Ebere Ndukwu …
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