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$242m Scam: Substantive Trial Resumes Today By Abimbola Akosile and Lola Olaogun Trial of three accused persons, Mrs. Amaka Anajemba, Chief Emmanuel Nwude, and Mr. Nzeribe Edeh Okoli, is expected to resume today before an Ikeja High Court judge, Justice Olubunmi Oyewole, for their alleged involvement in a $242 million Advance Fee Fraud a.k.a. 419 scam. New dates for the trial has been fixed for October 18, 20, 21 and 22. The trial, earlier fixed for October 4-6, was adjourned for two weeks after the first day of trial proceedings. In the de novo (fresh) trial prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), only one prosecution witness out of 28 (both local and foreign) has testified so far in court, in a case in which the trial judge favours an accelerated hearing. The above-mentioned dates follow the adjournment granted by Justice Oyewole in response to prayers by defence counsels in the matter for a short adjournment to allow them consider new angles to the case, with regards to a possible agreement between both parties (prosecution and defence) on the charge leveled against the accused persons. However, prosecution is expected to field the 2nd prosecution witness in the matter today. Accused persons were re-arraigned in Lagos on Friday, July 23, following an Abuja High Court dismissal of the former 86 count charges brought against them in July, allegedly for lack of jurisdiction since the offences were committed within Lagos jurisdiction; while hearing in the matter had taken place up till Thursday, August 19. First arraigned in Abuja on February 4, the accused persons, were alleged to have defrauded a Brazilian banker, Mr. Nelson Sakaguchi of a sum of $242million over a three-year period, from April 2, 1995 to January 20, 1998 at Ikeja, Lagos, contrary to Sections 1(1)(a) and (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act of 1995 as amended by Act 62 of 1998. Obtained amount was said to represent payment due to the Federal Government on the alleged contract No. FMA/132/019/82 for the construction of Abuja International Airport, Nigeria. Penalties for each of the counts range between seven and ten years. The accused persons are facing a fresh 98 count charge, with twelve additional counts. Who Are We ? | About THISDAYOnLine.com | THISDAY People | Contact Us © Copyright 2000 Leaders & Company Limited

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