The trial of former officials of banks indicted
in the N8 Billion CBN currency scam continued today with the prosecuting
counsel Adebisi Adeniyi asking for time to enable the prosecution and the 4th
accused, Oni Adewale Dolapo conclude plea bargain negotiation. He told the
court that he received vital information late from the bank which stalled the process.
He therefore asked for a short adjournment to perfect the plea bargain
arrangement.
Otunba Bolalanle, Olalekan Ojo, Y.A.H Ruba,
Adewole Oladele and A.T Onikosi counsel to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 4th, 5th and
6th defendants respectively, did not object to the request for adjournment.
Justice
Joyce Abdulmalik, having listened to all the counsel, adjourned the matter to
October 6, 2016 for continuation of trial.
It would be recalled that at the last adjourned
date, Ruba, counsel to Dolapo told the court that he had applied to
the EFCC for plea bargain, pointing out that the process would soon be
completed.
Ruba informed the court that his client’s move
was in line with Section 270 of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act,
2015.
This was confirmed by Adeniyi, who informed the
court that the plea bargain arrangement would be completed and filed
before the court on the next adjourned date..
Meanwhile, Adeniyi today informed the court that
the prosecution had amended the charge in respect of the following accused
persons: Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran
Muniru Adeola, Toogun Kayode Philip, Ajunwa Bolade, Samuel Ogbeide, Tijani
Olusoga and Olawunmi Nyang. He urged the court to accept the charge to enable
the defendants take their plea.
But
Otunba Bolanle and Olalekan Ojo informed
the court that they are yet to be served with the amended charge hence the
defendants could not take their plea.
Adebisi
while insisting that the defence counsel had been served nevertheless, promised
to make copies available to them.
Wilson UWUJAREN
Head, Media & Publicity
28th September, 2016
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