Federal Government asked for the “no-case application” submitted by Petro Union and three of its directors—as well as a consultant who is presently on trial for alleged £2.6 billion fraud—be dismissed by the Federal High Court, located in Lagos.
Judge Mohammed Liman is the trial judge in this case.
In his written response to the company’s and its Petro Union Directors’ application, Federal Government counsel Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, asked the court to reject the application.
The defendants in the case are contending, through their lawyers, that none of the 13 witnesses called by the prosecution established any case of fraud against them.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Petro Union Oil and Gas Limited, a consultant to the company and three of its directors before the court on a 13-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences, attempting to steal and forgery.
The consultant is Abayomi Kukoyi, trading under the name and style of Gladstone Kukoyi and Associates, while the company’s directors facing trial are Messrs Kingsley Okpala, Chidi Okpalaeze and Emmanuel Okpalaeze.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charge when they were arraigned.
In his opposition to the application, the Federal Government maintained that the prosecution had, through its witnesses, established a prima facie case of fraud against the defendants.
It also argued that all investigations by Union Bank, Central Bank, Bankers’ Committee and the EFCC confirmed that the defendants were engaged in clearly fraudulent activities.
It argued: “We have proved the ingredients of those offences beyond any reasonable doubt and each of the defendants should be invited to present their defence to the charge if they have any.
Morenikeji Adedayo is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
