Thursday, July 3, 2025
  • REPORT A STORY
  • PRIVACY
  • CONTACT US
WITHIN NIGERIA - NEWS PICKS
  • HOME
  • FEATURES
  • NEWS PICKS
    • BREAKING
    • National
    • Local News
    • Politics
    • Diaspora
    • Business
    • Education
    • Sports
    • World News
      • Africa
      • U.S
      • Asia
      • Europe
    • XTRA
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • MORE
    • GIST
    • ARTICLES
    • VIDEOS
No Result
View All Result
WITHIN NIGERIA - NEWS PICKS
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • FEATURES
  • NEWS PICKS
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • MORE

Alleged Money Laundering: Malami, Magu, Falana, others shun invitation to testify in Maina’s trial

Adejayan Gbenga Gsong by Adejayan Gbenga Gsong
March 10, 2021
in National
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0 0
A A
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The money laundering case of former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina suffered serious setback as witnesses failed to appear in court on Wednesday.

Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), Ibrahim Magu, former acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, M. Mustapha; Hassan Salihu; Mohammed Wakil; G.T Idris; Kenneth Amabem; Ibrahim Kaigama and CBN director of compliance, all failed to show up in court on Wednesday.

WITHIN NIGERIA recall that Justice Okon Abang had on Maina’s request issued a subpoena compelling the AGF, Magu and nine others to come before the court on March 9, 10 and 11 and testify for the defendant.

But at the resumption of proceedings on Wednesday, none of the invited persons was in court.

READ ALSO

Coalition: Why PDP members aligning with ADC are breaking the law – Keyamo

IPMAN announces petrol price reduction nationwide

Former AGF, Malami quits APC, defects to ADC

Universities must confront global shifts with unity — Mahfouz Adedimeji, ASE VC

Maina’s lawyer, Sani Katu (SAN) also did not inform the court that any of the subpoenaed witnesses was in court.

Instead, he applied orally to withdraw from the case.

He was silent on why he sought to withdraw.

Had his application been granted, Katu would have been the fifth defence lawyer to withdraw since the case started.

Those who earlier withdrew are Joe Gadzama (SAN), Adeola Adedipe, Francis Oronsaye and Anayo Adibe

When Katu applied to withdraw on Wednesday, lawyer to the EFCC, Farouk Abdullah objected, arguing that the defence lawyer failed to comply with Section 349(8) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

Section 349(8) of ACJA states: “Where a legal practitioner intends to disengage from a matter, he shall notify the court, not less than three days before the date fixed for hearing and such notice shall be served on the court and all parties.”

Ruling, Justice Okon Abang rejected Katu’s claim that he had discussed his withdrawal, off record, with the prosecution lawyer, noting that discussions between lawyers were not binding on the court.

He described Katu’s request to withdraw as one “done in bad faith,” adding that “M.S Katu has not offered any reason for seeking to withdraw from this matter.

“His application to withdraw is to compound issues and to hold the court to ransom. In any event, from the record from the court, a notice has not been filed before the court.

“If a law requires that notice should be filed, it should be filed. It is not a sentimental issue but an issue of law which cannot be overlooked.

“The obvious lapses on his part cannot move the court to grant this application. The application to withdraw legal representation and cause confusion in the matter lacks merit and is accordingly refused,” Justice Abang said.

He also rejected Katu’s further request for adjournment to enable him file a formal application for withdrawal. The judge then ordered the first defendant to produce his second witness.

Rather than call his next witness, Katu told the court that his planned witness, Charles Enakaeno was involved in an accident and could not attend court.

Katu sought a further adjournment, relying on Section 396 of the ACJA, a request Abdullah did not oppose.

Ruling, Justice Abang expressed displeasure that Maina failed to assemble his witnesses on time.

POPULAR TODAY

  • All
  • National
  • Local News
  • Politics
  • World News
  • Sports
  • XTRA

Universities must confront global shifts with unity — Mahfouz Adedimeji, ASE VC

July 2, 2025

BREAKING: ADC executives step aside for David Mark’s interim team

July 2, 2025

BREAKING: Amaechi resigns from APC, accuses INEC of aiding plot to hijack election

July 2, 2025

JUST IN: Opposition heavyweights gather at Yar’Adua Centre for ADC coalition launch

July 2, 2025

Discussion about this post

ADVERTISEMENT

LATEST

‘Desperados hungry for power’ — Onanuga knocks ADC coalition politicians

July 3, 2025
Diogo Jota

Liverpool Forward Diogo Jota dies in fatal car crash, days after wedding

July 3, 2025

JUST-IN: LP orders Peter Obi to resign in 48 hours after joining ADC coalition

July 3, 2025

Opposition coalition wants to use, dump Peter Obi, no plan to give him ADC presidential ticket – Keyamo

July 3, 2025

‘No single group can fix Nigeria alone’ — Peter Obi speaks on adoption of ADC coalition

July 3, 2025

Coalition: Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda has collapsed into hopelessness – Bolaji Abdullahi

July 3, 2025
Load More
NEWS PICKS — WITHIN NIGERIA

WITHIN NIGERIA MEDIA LTD.

NEWS, MULTI MEDIA

WITHIN NIGERIA is an online news media that focuses on authoritative reports, investigations and major headlines that springs from National issues, Politics, Metro, Entertainment; and Articles.

Follow us on social media:

CORPORATE LINKS

  • About
  • Contacts
  • Report a story
  • Advertisement
  • Content Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
 
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • REPORT A STORY
  • PRIVACY
  • CONTACT US

© 2022 WITHIN NIGERIA MEDIA LTD. designed by WebAndName

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • FEATURES
  • NEWS PICKS
    • BREAKING
    • National
    • Local News
    • Politics
    • Diaspora
    • Business
    • Education
    • Sports
    • World News
      • Africa
      • U.S
      • Asia
      • Europe
    • XTRA
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • MORE
    • GIST
    • ARTICLES
    • VIDEOS

© 2022 WITHIN NIGERIA MEDIA LTD. designed by WebAndName