A Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, yesterday granted leave to the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to amend the charges in the trial of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and three others, over alleged N544 fraud.
The former SGF was arraigned on Feb. 12 alongside Hamidu Lawal, a director in his company, Sulaiman Abubakar, staff in the company and Apeh Monday, managing director Josmon Technologies Ltd and Rholavision Engineering Ltd.
Justice Jude Okeke granted the leave, following an application by EFCC counsel, Mr. Ufom Uket to add the company, Josmon Technologies Limited., in count 6, 9 and 10. He granted the leave for EFCC to amend charge and in accordance with section 218 of ACJA in addition he must file a fresh charge. Okeke also granted the prayers of the defendants’ counsel and ordered that the defendants continue in the existing bail conditions. In addition the judge said since the defendants’ counsel complained of the effect of prosecution’s amended charge on their preparation, he adjourned the case until April 11 for commencement of trial.
Earlier, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN) counsel for Lawal said he was not opposing to the application. He said the prosecution ought to have filed a fresh charge, but maintained that the amendment would affect the commencement of trial. Mr. DN Idoko, counsel for the other defendants all aligned with Olujimi and prayed the court to allow the defendants to continue in the existing bail condition after they took their plea on the amended charge.
The EFCC dragged them to court on a 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy and unlawful award of contract to companies Lawal has interest at the sum of N544 million. Lawal was accused of benefiting illegally from the approval of N544, 119,925.36 for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation. The EFCC alleged that Babachir Lawal being the SGF and Hamidu Lawal, director of Rholavision Engineering Limited and Abubakar, staff about March 7, 2016 at Abuja conspired to commit the offences. EFCC also said the defendants fraudulently acquired a property, contrary to Section 26 (1) (c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
It also alleged that Babachir Lawal knowingly held indirectly a private interest in the consultancy contract awarded to Rholavision Engineering Limited for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation to the tune of N7 million and N6.4 million. EFCC claimed that it was done through the Presidential Initiative for North East (PINE). It further alleged that on March 4, and Aug. 22, 2016 contract for removing evasive grass worth N272.5 million and N258.1 million respectively were awarded to Josmon technologies but executed by Rholavision. The offences are contrary to Sect 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
