Alleged N1bn OAGF Fraud: Defence Stalls Trial

The trial of two officials from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) implicated in Economic Reforms and Governance Project contract fraud, Dogonyaro Audu (aka Abdullahi Dogonyaro Mohammed) and Yahaya Ayodeji, was stalled Tuesday in Abuja due to the unpreparedness of their counsel, Abubakar Sadiq Oderiku.

This forced the trial judge, Justice Yusuf  Halilu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Jabi, to adjourn the trial to June 25, 2015.

Justice Halilu however ruled on the bail application of the accused persons who had been in prison custody since they were arraigned on May 26. The court had refused an oral application by their counsel, insisting that the application be formalized.

At the hearing, the court admitted the accused persons to bail on the following terms: Two sureties each of whom must be a director in a Federal Government agency with evidence of his or her letter of last promotion.

Also, the sureties are to deposit a documentary evidence of ownership of a property valued at N100, 000, 000. 00 located either in Garki or Wuse 2 district of the FCT, with the court.

After the ruling on bail application, prosecuting counsel, Cosmas Ugwu, informed the court that the matter was slated for commencement of trial and that he had his witnesses in court.

However, counsel to the accused persons, Oderiku, sought for an adjournment on the grounds that he had not been able to confer with his clients in prison due to ill health.

Justice Halilu consequently adjourned the matter to June 25, 2015 for definite hearing.