Buhari regime files fresh evidence against lawyers accused of impersonating CBN, Unity Bank
President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime has filed additional evidence against three Abuja-based legal practitioners over allegations bordering on impersonation.
The three lawyers are facing trial on a four-count criminal charge bordering on false information with the intent to mislead the Court of Appeal into entering a consent judgement of N52 million in their favour.
They are Maxwell Opara, Gold Nwankwo and Jubilate Obasikene, who are all practising in the law firm of Maxwell Opara and Associates.
They were alleged to have fraudulently entered appearances for the CBN and Unity Bank Plc without the consent and authorisation of the banks in an appeal marked: CA/A/18M/2017 in respect of garnishee proceedings involving the sum of N52 million at the Court of Appeal, Abuja.
Through the prosecution agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the federal government had equally filed a list of additional witnesses it shall call in the prosecution of the case.
Upon resumed hearing on Wednesday, the EFCC’s counsel, Ibrahim Buba, informed Justice Hamza Muazu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, about the new development.
Mr Buba said the list of additional evidence and other witnesses had already been served on the defendants.
Although the lawyer expressed his readiness to proceed with the trial, the defence counsel, who confirmed that the documents were served on them, prayed for a short adjournment to enable them to study the documents.
Counsel to Mr Okpara (first defendant), K.C Muemeka, told the court that the said documents were just served on them in court.
Responding, Mr Buba, who consented to the request for an adjournment, agreed that the defence team needed more time to study the additional evidence.
Consequently, Justice Muazu adjourned the case to February 13 and 14 for trial.
The charge, marked CR/444/2022, followed a petition by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the chairman of the EFCC, accusing the lawyers of fraudulent representation and impersonation.
The offence, according to EFCC, is contrary to sections 96 and 140 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria as applicable in the FCT, Abuja.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
Tinubu govt promises to improve police welfare, infrastructure
President Bola Tinubu’s government has pledged to prioritise police infrastructure and personnel welfare to improve service delivery and ease officers’ hardship.
World
Midterm election results not acceptance of Democrats but rejection of Republicans: DeSantis
“This was not a positive view of the Democrats,” said Mr DeSantis. “This was a rejection of Republicans in Washington.”
Abuja
AFD seeks stronger partnership with Nigeria to boost economic growth
Christophe Lecourtier, CEO of AFD, says the agency seeks to strengthen France’s cooperation with Nigeria to promote growth and advance shared interests.
World
NASA satellite crashes back to Earth after failed rescue attempt
A research satellite has fallen back to Earth after a rescue mission by the U.S. space agency NASA failed.
Economy
Bank collapse sparks financial, political crisis in Paraguay
The collapse of one of Paraguay’s largest banks has triggered a financial and political crisis, with millions of customers fearing for their savings.
World
240 million Nigerian adolescents, others worldwide report no active days in one week: WHO
The World Health Organisation says about 240 million adolescents worldwide reported no physical activity on any day last week, raising concerns about young people’s health.
