Justice R.I.B. Adebiyi of a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos today (Monday, 9th May 2022) uphold the application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to have a witness in the trial of a former Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and Ezekiel Bala Agaba, who is based in the United States of America, testify through electronic means.
The prosecution had, at the last sitting on 18th March 2022, approached the court with the application.
The prosecuting counsel, Kufre Uduak, told the court that the witness, Charles Aroawode Oboh, a Director in Aroward Nigeria Limited, is based in the United States of America.
“The prosecution is seeking an order granting leave to call the witness based in the United States of America to testify through electronic means; and for such other order, as this Honourable Court may deem fit, to make in the circumstance,” he said.
The counsel for the second defendant, E.D. Onyeke, had opposed the application arguing that “it will be prejudicial, as he is not situated within jurisdiction.”
“We believe his evidence could be manipulated,” Onyeke added, as he prayed the court to dismiss the application.
However, delivering the ruling today, the Judge dismissed the objection of the defence as lacking in merit and granted the prayers of the prosecution.
The case has been adjourned till 30th June 2022 for the continuation of trial.