Judge Threatens to Revoke Bail of Pension Fraud Suspect
Justice
Dairus Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kaduna today
threatened to revoke the bail granted to Muhammed Sodangi, an accused
person standing trial on 13 counts of personation and stealing to the
tune of N66million, over the continued absence of his counsel, Jafar
Abbas in court.
Sodangi
was arraigned in May 2014 by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC for allegedly defrauding the Kaduna State government of
N66million by abusing his position as pension consultant to the state
government, to smuggle his name into the pension payroll.
The
EFCC has so far presented four witnesses ( two from banks and two
officials of the state government) and was set to present its last two
witnesses today but for the absence of the defence counsel.
When
the matter was called, prosecution counsel Sylvanus Tahir informed the
court that he had his witnesses in court and was ready to continue with
the hearing.
However,
the accused who was already in the dock, had no legal representation.
On enquiry, Sodangi told the court that his lawyer sent him a text
message, informing him of the session today, on Friday, November 27,
2015. "My lord, I tried calling him but I could not get through. I do
not know his whereabouts or why he is not here," he stated.
The
presiding judge noted that the accused person’s response confirmed that
his counsel was aware of the date for the hearing but deliberately
stayed away. He reminded the accused that criminal trials are supposed
to be conducted expeditiously.
“If
you were in prison am sure your relations will do the needful to get
your lawyer to come." Justice Khobo urged the accused to contact his
counsel to ensure the trial continues or risk the revocation of the bail
earlier granted him by the court.
The Judge then adjourned the matter to January 19, 2016.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
30th November, 2015
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