Subsidy Scam: EFCC Oppose Bamanga Tukur Son’s Bid To Squash Charges

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, October 7, opposed the bid presented by Mahmud Tukur, the son of former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to squash corruption charges against him.

Former National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamaga Tukur

Mahmud and four other defendants – Ochonogor Alex, Abdullahi Alao and their companies: Eterna Plc and Ax Energy – are standing trial in a N 1.5 billion subsidy charge against them by the anti-graft agency.

In a session before the Lagos state high court judge Lateef Akapo, counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs prayed the court not entertain the submissions made by the defence team led by Olaniran Obehe to quash the charges against the accused persons.

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Jacobs argued that: “The issue of prima facie case cannot be raised until the prosecution’s case is closed and that renders their applications premature.”

He said whether the charge was amended or not, the facts and findings are still binding in the case.

“My submission is that the court should dismiss all applications and I urge my Lord to so do,” Jacob said.

But counsels to the accused persons Ebun Adegoruwa and Aderemi Oguntoye on different occasions prayed the court to quash the charges against their clients.

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Adegoruwa argued that the charges be quashed or alternatively, the court should strike out Ochonogor’s name from the charges.

“I pray the court to discharge and acquit the accused as they cannot be tried under such incurably cancerous amended information,” Adegoruwa said.

After listening to the arguments and submissions made by the counsels, Akapo adjourned the case to November 16, 2015, for ruling.

Messers Tukur, Alex, Alao and companies were granted bail by the court after a re-arraignment in December 2014.

All the accused persons had also plead not guilty to the charges against them by the EFCC.

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