A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos today dismissed the no-case application filed by the embattled former INEC chiefs in Kwara State, Christian Nwosu and Tijani Nda Bashir currently standing trial on an allege N264million fraud.
The duo were arraigned before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos in April 2016 by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission(EFCC), for receiving gratification from former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison Maduekwe to pervert the 2015 general election in Kwara state.
Justice Idris while dismissing the no- case application on Wednesday, said that in view of the evidence proffered by EFCC witnesses, coupled with the facts and circumstances that surround this case. Can it be said that the defendants in this case does not have case to answer.
“The answer in my respective view is in affirmative.
” The extra judicial statement made to EFCC by these defendants raise a lot of questions which they must be called upon to answer
“Accordingly, thIs application lacks merit and it’s hereby dismissed.
The defendants are hereby ordered to open their defence.
Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo told the court that in view of the ruling, the prosecution would be requesting that the trial proceed immediately.
However, Mr Victor Opara pleaded with the court to grant him adjournment to amenable him assemble his witness.
The trail judge later adjourned the case to August 23 and 24, 2018 for the defence to open thier defence if any.
