N963.7m Fuel Subsidy Fraud: Absence of defence counsel stalls trial

The trial of an oil marketer, Rowaye Jubril, charged with N963.7 million fuel subsidy fraud was yesterday stalled due to the absence of his counsel, Mr Raphael Oluyede.

Jubril and his company, Brila Energy Ltd., are standing trial before Justice Lateefa Okunnu of an Ikeja High Court. They are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC had alleged that the defendants did not import the 13,500 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) for which they collected subsidy payment.

At the resumption of proceedings, the judge said Oluyede had sent a letter to the court apologising for his absence.
Oluyede, in the letter, had informed the court that he had an important case before the Supreme Court in Abuja that morning and pleaded for an adjournment.
The EFCC counsel, Mr Seidu Atteh, said he had no objection to Oluyede’s request for adjournment.

Okunnu, therefore, adjourned the matter till Feb. 23 for continuation of trial. [NAN]