Dariye’s Trial: Defence Backtracks, Seeks No-Case Submission
Olatomiwa Ajigi
The trial of a former governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on charges bordering on money laundering and diversion of funds, witnessed a turn of events on Friday as the defence counsel, G. S. Pwul, SAN, rather than open its defence, told the court that “we intend to raise a no-case submission”.
Dariye is being prosecuted by the EFCC, at a Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Gudu, Abuja, presided over by Justice Adebukola Banjoko. He is alleged to have siphoned the state’s ecological fund to the tune of N1.16 billion.
At the last sitting of June 6, 2016when the prosecution closed its case against Dariye, his counsel, Pwul had told the court that it would open its defence on the adjourned date ofJune 10, 2016 and “we intend to present seven witnesses”.
However, at the resumed sitting, rather than open its defence, Pwul informed the court that he intended to raise a no-case submission.
“The matter is for opening of defence, however, I am constrained to starttoday, as I could not get the record of proceedings of PW1, PW4, PW5 and PW9; besides, we intend to raise a no-case submission,” Pwul said.
Surprised by the turn of events, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, did not hide his feelings as he expressed concerns that it was a delay tactic being employed by the defence.
“On the last adjourned date, the prosecution closed its case and the defendant counsel said he would open his defence today,(Friday)” Jacobs said, adding that, “it is surprising that the same counsel is now coming with the intention to delay the proceedings by requesting for the record of proceeding just yesterday, and now coming with a no-case submission.”
Jacobs further argued that the action of the defence, was “against the spirit of Section 396 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015”.
Justice Banjoko, afterwards, adjourned till June 14, 2016 “for arguments on no-case submission by the defence”.
