Prosecutor’s illness stalls senator’s money laundering trial

TRACKING>> The Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned the trial of Senator Peter Nwaoboshi till June 28 due to the absence of prosecuting counsel Wemimo Ogunde (SAN).

A lawyer from Ogunde’s law firm, O. Fadairo, said the senior advocate, who is prosecuting as an external counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), took ill while preparing for the case.

“The learned silk fell ill and was placed on bed rest by his personal doctor. We have informed the defendant and filed a letter for an adjournment,” Fadairo said.

When defence counsel urged the court to direct Fadairo to conduct the case on his principal’s behalf, the lawyer said Ogunde preferred to handle it personally.

“He was preparing for the case when he took ill. We’re sorry for the delay caused by his absence. We shall be praying for a short date for trial,” he said.

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EFCC arraigned Nwaoboshi, Golden Touch Construction Projects Limited and Suiming Electricals for alleged N322 million fraud.

The prosecution alleged that Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Projects purchased a 12-storey property called Guinea House on Marine Road at Apapa, Lagos, for N805 million between May and June 2014.

The anti-graft agency claimed that N322 million out of the N805 million was part of proceeds of “an unlawful act, to wit: fraud”.

The EFCC alleged that the N322 million was transferred to the property’s vendor on the order of Suiming Electricals, which was accused of aiding Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Projects to commit money laundering on or about May 14, 2014.

According to the EFCC, Nwaoboshi, a former Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, got a contract through Bilderberg Enterprises Limited to supply new construction equipment to the state’s Direct Labour Agency at N1,580,000,000.

The company allegedly imported and supplied used construction equipment rather than brand new ones, despite receiving full payment.

EFCC said Nwaoboshi, who represents Delta North Senatorial District, bought the 12-floor building from the state government at N805 million in the name of Golden Touch Construction Projects with the proceeds.

The commission said the senator had “no visible legitimate business venture to generate the amount spent to purchase the said property”.

Nwaoboshi pleaded not guilty.

The case began before Justice Mohammed Idris but was transferred to Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke after two witnesses were called.

Justice Aneke adjourned the matter till June 28 for continuation of trial.