Alleged N43.5million Fraud: Absence of NOGASA Chairman’s Lawyer Stalls Trial

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The absence of Olanrewaju Ajanaku, counsel to the Chairman of the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA), Fatuyi Yemi Philips, today, frustrated the NOGASA Chairman’s trial before Justice Mojisola Dada of an Ikeja Special Offences Court.

Philips is answering questions to a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N43,502,000.00 as slammed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The anti-graft agency had, after presenting its fifth and last witness on March 30, 2023, closed its case and the same was adjourned until today for defence.

The NOGASA helmsman, who was first arraigned on April 7, 2022, is standing trial alongside Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited.

Alleged N43.5million Fraud: Absence of NOGASA Chairman’s Lawyer Stalls Trial

Count one reads: “Fatuyi Yemi Philips and Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, on or about the 28th day of September 2016 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the aggregate sum of N43, 502,000.00 from Elochukwu Okoye and Elebana Unique Ventures Nigeria Limited on behalf of WAPCIL Nigeria Limited under the false representation that you would sell to WAPCIL Nigeria Limited $98,870.00, a representation you knew to be false”.

Count two reads: “Fatuyi Yemi Philips and Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, on or about the 28th day of September 2016 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, stole the sum of N43, 502,000.00, property of WAPCIL Nigeria Limited”.

But he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

While being led in evidence by counsel for the EFCC, M.S. Owede, the prosecution’s last witness, who is a Bureau De Change operator, Musa Mohammed, narrated how he got to know the defendant and the business transaction that they engaged in.

The witness had particularly informed the court as to how sometime in September 2016, the defendant met him and gave him $40,000 cash to help him change.

However, during the day’s proceeding on the matter, there was no representation for the defendant, as the counsel for the prosecution informed the court that his attention was called to a letter sent by the defence counsel, O. Ajanaku as to the prior notification that he would not be present in court.

According to Owede, “This morning, my attention was drawn to a letter from the defence counsel that he would not be in court, today”.

The anti-graft agency’s lawyer, however, observed that he saw the defence counsel fully robed in the court on Monday, “yet he claimed that he has not been to the office this week”.

Owede added, “My lord, to further amplify his mischief, he refused to suggest a date and the reason is not far-fetched, it is so that when we take a date, he’ll say oh it’s not convenient, but we’ll reluctantly oblige him”.

Justice Dada has adjourned the case until June 16, 2023, for defence.