On Tuesday, the Ikeja Special Offences Court dismissed a no-case submission filed by Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) pastor Ayodeji Oluokun, who is standing trial for alleged issuance of dud cheques of $1.6 million.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo in her ruling, held that the prosecution had established a sufficient prima facie case against the defendant.

“After carefully considering the submissions of the prosecution and the defence, the court at this stage is not to review the evidence of the prosecution but to see whether the prosecution has put enough evidence before the court to warrant the defendant to defend his case.

“The prosecution called seven witnesses and tendered several documents. The evidence of the prosecution shows that the prosecution has sufficiently proven a prima facie case against the defendant.

“I hereby dismiss the application of the defence and order that the defendant to open his defence,” Mrs Taiwo ruled.

The judge adjourned the case until June 10, for the defendant to open defence. 

The defendant, an oil marketer and an assistant pastor of RCCG, City of David Parish, Victoria Island, Lagos, was charged before the court alongside his oil firm, Peak Petroleum Industry Nigeria Ltd., by the EFCC.

The defendant and his company were first arraigned before the court on January 21, 2019, on a six-count amended charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, stealing and issuance of dud cheques.

The defendant had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was admitted to bail.

The EFCC, in a charge marked ID/8509c/19, alleged that the defendant and his company had in 2014, approached the management of GOSL Nigeria Limited for a loan of $1.6 million to enable him to carry out operational activities in his company’s oil field in Bayelsa State.

The prosecution alleged that the defendant had assured the complainant that he would repay the money within 60 days.

Following the defendant’s failure to repay the loan as promised, he was alleged to have issued two post-dated Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited cheques dated June 26, 2014, for the sum of $1.6 million.

(NAN)