The scheduled continuation of trial of Waripamo-owei Emmanuel Dudafa, the former Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan, could not go on Tuesday, due to the absence of the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, who was said to be before a Lagos Division of Appeal Court.

Dudafa and one Iwejuo Joseph Nna, also know as Taiwo Ebenezer and Olugbenga Isaiah, are standing trial before Justice Mohammed Idris led-court, on alleged N5.1 billion fraud.

The two accused persons were alleged to have used four companies namely; Pluto Property Development Company Limited, Avalon Property Development Company Limited, Seagate Property Development Company Limited, Rotato Property Development Company Limited, and Ebiwise Resources Limited.

At the resumed trial of the accused today, Dudafa’s lawyer, Mr. Gboyega Oyewole, informed the court that he was surprised when he came to court and he did not see his client (Dudafa), and on enquiry from the Prison’s officials, he was told that Dudafa is seriously sick that is why they didn’t bring him to court.

Oyewole also informed the court that the anti-graft agency have flagrantly disobeyed the order of the court in handling over his client’s international passport to the court’s Registry as directed by the court.

But the Dudafa’s sickness was brought to the notice of the court, the presiding judge, Justice Muhammad Idris, had informed the court of prosecution’s letter seeking for an adjournment.

The EFCC’s letter authored by Rotimi Oyedepo, had asked the court for an adjournment to enable attend an appeal filed by Mr. Ricky Tarfa Mohammed, against the Commission in suit number CA/497/2016.

He therefore urged the court to adjourned the matter till Thursday November 10, 2016.

However, though not opposing the adjournment sought for by the prosecution, Dudafa’s lawyer however, informed the court that the prosecutor who have his phone number ought to have called and informed him of the development, rather than hearing of it in court.

Consequently, Justice Mohammed Idris, granted the prosecutor’s application and adjourned the matter till Thursday November 10, for continuation of trial of the accused persons.

Dudafa and Nna, who also alleged to be bearing Taiwo Ebenezer and Olugbenga Isaiah, and five limited liabilities companies are standing trial before the court on 23 counts charge bordering on the alleged offence.

The companies charged alongside the two accused persons are; Seagate Property Development & Investment Limited, Ebiwise Resources Limited; Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited; Lutato Interservices Limited and Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited.

It would be recalled that at the duo were arraigned before the court by the anti-graft agency on 23 count-charge bordering on alleged N5.1 billion fraud, by the EFCC, and they had pleaded not guilty to all the counts charge.

In the charge EFCC alleged that Dudafa, and Joseph Nna, who also claimed to be Taiwo Ebenezer and Olugbenga Isaiah, had between June 11, 2013, and June 2015, used the named companies to fraudulently steal the  commit the alleged offences.

The count one of the charge read in parts; “that you,Warpamo Owei Emmanuel Dudafa, and Iwejuo Joseph Nna (a.k.a. Taiwo Ebenezer and Olugbenga Isaiah), on or about the 11th day of June, 2013 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Concealing the proceeds of crime in the sum of N 1, 667,162,800.00 (One Billion, Six Hundred and Sixty Seven Million, One Hundred and Sixty Two Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira), and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable  under Section 17(a) of the same Act.”

And count 23 reads; “That you, Warpamo Owei Emmanuel Dudafa, on April 27, 2016 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court failed to furnish any information in relation to your interest in Ibijige Services Limited as required in page 12 of the Declaration of Assets Form and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 27 (3) (c) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004.”

The alleged  offences are contrary to and punishable under sections 17(a), 18(c), and 27 (3) (c) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004.