EFCC plotting to frustrate trial of Lagos Speaker, PDP alleges

The EFCC counsel has been absent in court for two consecutive sessions

The Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Lagos State Chapter, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, of striving to satisfy the ruling party in the state over the trial of Adeyemi Ikuforiji, the Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly.

Mr. Ikuforiji, a top member of the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, is facing money laundering charges by the anti-graft agency.

In a statement in Lagos, the PDP stated that it would file a petition against the EFCC over its handling of the ongoing trial of Mr. Ikuforiji.

The trial has suffered over four adjournments as a result of the “unbelievable indisposition” of the commission’s counsel, Godwin Obla.

At the last adjourned date of the trial on Tuesday, Mr. Obla was conspicuously absent citing a misinformation from the court’s registrar that the trial was on Thursday.

Two weeks ago, the EFCC’s lawyer was also absent at the proceedings “on the grounds of ill health.”

“We strongly believe that the Speaker and ACN have the sympathy of the EFCC prosecution team as presently constituted, otherwise there won’t be indiscriminate calls for adjournment in a matter that the presiding judge, Okechukwu Okeke, is serious to dispense with on time,” Taofik Gani, the Lagos PDP’s Publicity Secretary, said.

“It may be a ploy for the case to be struck out for want of due diligence,” Mr. Gani added.

The trial of the Speaker was adjourned to December 17 and 18 for continuation of trial.