EFCC Slams Fresh Charges On, Dr. Sunday Etukudo, Provost Federal College Of Science Laboratories Technology , Four Others
Yakubu Busari
The Plateau State High court sitting over the money laundering and misappropriation of public funds by the Federal college of science Laboratories Technology has been adjourned to 1st and 2nd April ,2020 for continuation of hearing in a suit filed by Federal Republic of Nigeria against Dr. Nkereuwem Sunday Etukudo and four others .
The High court Four presided over by Justice Christine Dabup on Monday read the 20 fresh amended charges to all the accuse persons individually by asking them if they understand their charge.
However, the five accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges read to the accused.
The Five suspect include Yusuf Samuel, Ernest Dumtur, Good luck Ichawa Hon ST High Court Dr Sunday Nkereuwem who are standing trial of diversion of contracts award for building of hostels accommodation, supply of lab equipment, office and classrooms.
The counsel to the defendants, Barr. S N Robert the prosecutor presented fresh amended counts charge for the 1,3 4 defendant and that Barr A. M Ogbono ,Barr A.A Saige of the 5th defendant.
The prosecutor told that the matter is slated for arrangement and the have a motion ready to move same, adding; the Prosecutor said this motion is to amend their charges
Defense counsels said they were served with the application and he promised no objections and the second defendant said they are also served and we are no objection to the application
Saigie also said they were served and no objections.
The prosecution motions dated 21-1-2020 and filed on the 28-1-2020 under section 231.230 of Plateau State law seeking for amending, with seven (7) affidavit of support of the motions.
He adopted same by urging the court grant them the application for smooth proceeding of the suit.
The judge justice Christine Dabup has granted the application brought by the prosecutor,
He said I have 20 paragraph which was adopted same with the earlier filed before this Honourable court that the accused persons defrauded Federal government running into billions of naira.
They all pleaded not guilty of the crime .The defendants haven’t pleaded guilty the prosecutor to present 15 witnesses to testify
The defense counsels said the have motion of expertise filed on the 13th January, 2023 for first, Third and fourth defendants, pray to move which was not opposed.
In pursuing to section 35,36 of the state law (5) 1999 of the criminal law granting leaf to the accuse persons to continue to enjoy the bail condition earlier granted them by Rtd Justice Daniel Longji including 17 paragraph in support of the motions.
The judge granted a fresh bail conditions to the five accused persons standing trial in Jos, Division of Plateau State High Court, The applicants are to continue with their previous bail before re transfer to court 4
Unfortunately some of the contractors were not capture in the proceedings as they are key players
