John Abebe, former First Lady, late Stella Obasanjo’s younger brother, forgery trial, was halted on Wednesday because a defense witness provided incomplete documents.
The Nigeria News Agency (NAN) reports that Mr Abebe is being tried by an Ikeja Special Offenses Court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The trial could not continue after an incomplete set of papers needed for Abebe’s defense were provided by defense counsel, Oritsematosan Nabuyaka, Head, Registry Department, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
Explaining why the papers were incomplete, Mr. Nabuyaka, a witness who was summoned, informed the tribunal that the papers were the only ones that could be produced owing to lack of time.
Ms Nabuyaka, who was led in evidence by defense counsel, Uche Nwokedi, said she brought the BP Nig. Ltd. incorporation certificate and Statoil Nig. Ltd. incorporation certificate before the tribunal.
According to the witness, the other documents are Certificate of Change of Name of Statoil to Equinox Nig. Ltd., Memorandum and Articles of Association of BP Nig. Ltd. and Form C07 of BP Nigeria Exploration Ltd.
“This was what was transmitted to me from the head office.
“By the time the head office was able to transmit page eight, we did not have ample time,” the CAC Assistant Director said.
Reacting, Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the EFCC, expressed displeasure at the development.
“The last witness came from the same establishment (CAC). He said he had seen the subpoena and that they needed ample time to produce the documents.
“It was with that same subpoena that the first defence witness, who is from a different establishment, appeared in court to give evidence.
“Your lordship graciously gave us today and tomorrow for this trial.
“In order not to waste today and tomorrow, we should deal with this witness today as she is not here in her private or personal capacity,” Mr Oyedepo said.
Justice Mojisola Dada adjourned the case until August 15 for the continuation of trial.
NAN reports that Mr Abebe had on July 26, 2018, pleaded not guilty to a four-count charge of forgery, fabricating evidence, using fabricated evidence and attempt to pervert the cause of justice.
According to the EFCC, the defendant committed the offences on June 22, 2010, in Lagos.
“Abebe knowingly forged BP Exploration Nig. Ltd. letter dated November 30, 1995, to Inducon (Nig.) Ltd.
“He committed the forgery by inserting in page two of the said letter, the following words: ‘Also note that the ‘Buy-Out Option’ only applies to the pre-production stage of the Net Profit Interest Agreement (NPIA). The $4 million buy-out is thus irrelevant from production of oil in any of our fields’.
“He purported same to have been issued by BP Exploration Nig. Ltd.,” Mr Oyedepo said.
The prosecution claims that the defendant used the allegedly forged letter as evidence in suit No. FHC/L/CS/224/2010 between Abebe, Inducon Nig. Ltd. and Statoil Nig. Ltd. in a Federal High Court.
The evidence was admitted in evidence in the suit, according to the EFCC.
The commission said that the defendant attempted to pervert the course of justice through the actions.
The alleged offences violate Sections 120(1), 120(2), 126(2) of the Criminal Code Law of 2003.
(NAN)
