Alleged N304.1m fraud: Trial of Ex-NIMASA DG, two others adjourned to November 21

The trial of the former Acting Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Haruna Baba Jauro, along with Dr. Dauda Bitrus Bawa and Thlumbau Enterprises Limited, has been adjourned by Justice Tijani Ringim of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, until November 21, 2023.

The trio is facing 19-count charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) concerning allegations of stealing and money laundering involving N304,118,500 (Three Hundred and Four Million One Hundred and Eighteen Thousand Five Hundred Naira).

During Monday’s proceedings, the third prosecution witness, Orji Chukwuma, an investigator with the EFCC, testified in court regarding the defendant’s statements. The witness confirmed the admissibility of these statements as evidence before Honourable Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.

The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, sought to tender the proceedings of the trial-within-trial and the defendant’s statements made on various dates as exhibits, which were previously admitted and marked as exhibits Q, Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 before Justice Olatoregun. The witness affirmed the admissibility of these statements in court.

When asked about the defendant’s claim that his statements were not obtained voluntarily, Orji described the environment as conducive, explaining that the statements were taken in a public space, accompanied by both the defendant’s and the EFCC’s team members. He further indicated that cautionary words were administered to the defendant before taking his statements, and the defendant’s understanding was evident from his signatures and dates at the beginning and end of his statements.

Justice Ringim adjourned the trial to November 21 and 22, 2023, for further proceedings.