EFCC’s Inconsistency And Absence of Prosecuting Witness Stall Proceedings As Court Rules In Favour Of Daniel
A State High Court sitting in Isabo Abeokuta Tuesday was thrown into laughter when the leading prosecutor of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Jacobs, gave contradicting statements on the absence of the witness, who is a staff of Skye Bank Plc.
Ruling earlier on the objection of the EFCC that the statement of account of Blue Chapel brought in by Daniel should not be admitted, the presiding judge, Justice Olanrewaju Mabekoje said since the documents have become part of the proof, they should be accepted. He said, “The objection of the prosecution is lacking in merit and is hereby dismissed,”
On the absence of the EFCC’s witness, Jacobs who was visibly confused and coherent quoted the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), in charge of the case. He said his witness has been receiving phone calls and text messages from an unknown number threatening to kill him if he dared continued with his ‘witnessing’. ”He told the IPO that he has been getting threat messages on phone; both in text messages and calls from unknown people who vowed to kill him if he so continued with his witnessing”. Jacob revealed.
Contrary to the threat excuse, and also immediately, Jacob told the Court that his prosecuting team called the said Witness yesterday on phone around 2pm who promised to make it to the court today. But the Court erupted in laughter when he brought out a medical report stating that the prosecuting Witness was having, fever, malaria, pain, stomach pain & disorder and ultimately high blood pressure as another reason he could not make it to the Court.
Daniel’s counsel, Prof Tayo Oyetibo who was obviously bemused pointed out three observatory positions of his colleague’s excuses. First, threat to kill, two medical report showing he is indisposed and lastly promise to show up today and not making it. He said, “ In the same breathe the prosecution said there was a threat to kill the witness, the witness sent in medical report claiming he was unfit to attend the court , the witness was telephoned yesterday by the prosecution and he assured them that he would be in court. What are we to believe? The contradictions in the position of the EFCC are self evident. In any case we are ready to proceed since we don’t even have more questions for the witness”. The case has been adjourned to June 29th, July 9th and 12th.
