Court reserves judgment in suit against Bode George, others

Olubunmi Oyewole of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, on Tuesday reserved judgment indefinitely in the suit against Olabode George and five others.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had taken George and five others to court over an alleged N84 billion contract scam at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Charged along with George are: Aminu Dabo, Olusegun Abidoye, Abdullahi Aminu Tafida, Zanna Maidaribe and Sule Aliyu.

George, who was chairman, and the others, members of the Board of Directors of the NPA between 2003 and 2007, are facing a 68-count charge.

Tunji Ayanlaja, counsel to George, told the court that the EFCC had failed to prove its case beyond any reasonable doubt against his client on all the charges.

Consequently, he urged the court to discharge and acquit George as the prosecution could not establish a prima facie case against him.

The counsel to the other defendants aligned with Ayanlaja, maintaining that their clients were free of any wrong doing.

But the EFCC counsel, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in his address before the court, insisted that the accused are guilty of the offences.

He prayed the court to grant the EFCC’s prayers and sentence the accused as charged.

After listening to the parties and adopting their written addresses, Oyewole adjourned judgment indefinitely, saying the date would be communicated to them.

-NAN