Alleged Land Fraud: Judge orders EFCC to produce estate agent in court
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Tuesday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC ) to produce an Abuja-based estate agent, Rebecca Omokamo, in court over her failure to appear for trial.
Ms Abdulmalik gave the order after the EFCC counsel, Benedict Ubi, made an application to the effect.
The judge then adjourned the matter until July 23 for continuation of trial.
Ms Omokamo is being prosecuted over alleged land fraud, forgery and money laundering.
Ms Omokamo is facing trial alongside Homadil Realty Limited, Idakwogi Richard John and Rychado Homes Limited.
Earlier, the prosecution informed the court that the first defendant (Omokamo) was in “self-imposed house arrest sequel to the order of the court for an interim forfeiture of a disputed land.”
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‎Mr Ubi said Ms Omokamo had been obstructing officers of the EFCC from carrying out the order of the court.
He accused Ms Omokamo of breaching the terms of the administrative bail by travelling repeatedly out of jurisdiction.
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‎But Ms Omokamo’s counsel, Christopher Oshomeghie, SAN, told the court that the commission’s officers had laid siege to the residence of his client for about 23 days.
He said in view of this, Ms Omokamo had remained indoors for all that period, as “she fears for her life.”
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‎The senior lawyer informed the court that it was due to the reason the defendant was not in court.
He also said that the defendant had been indisposed as a result of the development.
Responding, Mr Ubi disagreed with Mr Oshomeghie’s submission.
The prosecutor clarified that Ms Omokamo had the keys to the building and that she willingly locked herself in her apartment and not the EFCC officers on enforcement duty.
‎Ms Abdulmalik consequently ordered the anti-graft agency to produce the first defendant in court after her counsel confirmed that she had the keys to the apartment and that her absence could not be attributed to the EFCC.
Meanwhile, Ms Abdulmalik also heard the civil suit instituted by the EFCC against Ms Omokamo.
The judge adjourned the matter until October 15 for hearing of all pending applications.
(NAN)
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