Court fixes Nov. 10 to continue fraud trial of ex-President Jonathan’s aide

Waripamo-Owei Dudafa

Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos, on Tuesday, fixed Nov. 10 to continue the criminal trial of Warampo Dudafa, a former special assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Dudafa alongside one Joseph Iwejuo on 23-counts of conspiracy and concealment of crime proceeds.

They had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Tuesday, the court was constrained to adjourn the matter following the absence of the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo.

Oyedepo had written a letter to the court, urging it to adjourn the matter as he was attending another case before the Lagos division of the appeal court.

This letter was not opposed to by defence counsels.

Justice Idris consequently fixed Nov. 10 for continuation of trial.

In the charge, the accused were alleged to have on June 11, 2013, conspired to conceal proceeds of crime amounting to over N1.6billion.

It was alleged that they concealed the sum through a company, Seagate Property Development and Investment Ltd.

They were alleged to have also used Avalon Global Property Development Company Ltd to launder over N399 million.

Other companies allegedly used in perpetuating the crime included: Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd, Rotato Inter Link Services Ltd and De Jakes Fast Food and Restaurant Nigeria Ltd.

Dudafa was alleged to have between June 1 and June 4, 2015, contracted Iwejuo and Ebiwise Resources Ltd, to conceal N150million being alleged proceeds of crime.

EFCC also alleged that on April 27, Dudafa failed to furnish any information in relation to over N616 million held on his behalf by Seagate Property’s account.

The prosecution said he also failed to disclose the sum of N560 million held for him by De Jakes Fast Food Ltd, as well as the sum of N10 million held for him by Ibejige Services Ltd.

The offence is said to have contravened the provisions of section 27 (3) (c) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004.

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