Buhari regime files fresh evidence against lawyers accused of impersonating CBN, Unity Bank
President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime has filed additional evidence against three Abuja-based legal practitioners over allegations bordering on impersonation.
The three lawyers are facing trial on a four-count criminal charge bordering on false information with the intent to mislead the Court of Appeal into entering a consent judgement of N52 million in their favour.
They are Maxwell Opara, Gold Nwankwo and Jubilate Obasikene, who are all practising in the law firm of Maxwell Opara and Associates.
They were alleged to have fraudulently entered appearances for the CBN and Unity Bank Plc without the consent and authorisation of the banks in an appeal marked: CA/A/18M/2017 in respect of garnishee proceedings involving the sum of N52 million at the Court of Appeal, Abuja.
Through the prosecution agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the federal government had equally filed a list of additional witnesses it shall call in the prosecution of the case.
Upon resumed hearing on Wednesday, the EFCC’s counsel, Ibrahim Buba, informed Justice Hamza Muazu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, about the new development.
Mr Buba said the list of additional evidence and other witnesses had already been served on the defendants.
Although the lawyer expressed his readiness to proceed with the trial, the defence counsel, who confirmed that the documents were served on them, prayed for a short adjournment to enable them to study the documents.
Counsel to Mr Okpara (first defendant), K.C Muemeka, told the court that the said documents were just served on them in court.
Responding, Mr Buba, who consented to the request for an adjournment, agreed that the defence team needed more time to study the additional evidence.
Consequently, Justice Muazu adjourned the case to February 13 and 14 for trial.
The charge, marked CR/444/2022, followed a petition by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the chairman of the EFCC, accusing the lawyers of fraudulent representation and impersonation.
The offence, according to EFCC, is contrary to sections 96 and 140 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria as applicable in the FCT, Abuja.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Buhari ally Amosun leads ADC campaign in Ogun; vows to unseat Gov Abiodun
Mr Amosun further explained there were two major reasons why he was in support of ADC’s governorship candidate.
States
INEC lost over 1000 election materials in fresh Anambra attack: Okoye
Some yet-to-be-identified gunmen attacked INEC’s office in Ojoto at Idemili South LGA of Anambra in the wee hours of Wednesday.
Politics
Wike revokes approval for Atiku to campaign in Port Harcourt stadium
Mr Green said the permission was revoked due to a reported synergy between the PCC and a faction of the opposition APC led by Tonye Patrick Cole, because of the latter’s antecedent of violence
NationWide
Three days dust haze, sunshine, thunderstorm predicted nationwide
The agency predicted slight dust haze conditions on Saturday over the northern region during the forecast period.
Politics
Sowore calls for protest against Buhari regime over fuel, naira scarcity
The policy was, according to CBN, targeted at recovering over 80 per cent of the country’s currency hoarded outside the banking system.
Sport
NPFL: Insurance, Plateau United earn rare away wins; Sunshine keep unwanted away record
In Matchday 5 of the NPFL, seven home victories, two away wins, and one draw that produced 17 goals were recorded.
