The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday amended its 27-count charge against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Rickey Tarfa, at an Igbosere High Court, Lagos.
The commission re-arraigned Tarfa on a reduced 26-count on the same offences before the same court on March 10 and substituted Section 38 (2) on the charge for Section 39 (2) of the EFCC Act, 2004.
In March, the anti-graft agency accused Tarfa of, among others, wilfully obstructing its authorised officers, refusal to declare assets, making false information and offering gratification to a public official.
The commission alleged that the lawyer offered N5.3 million as gratification to Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court to compromise the judge.
It claimed Tarfa transferred the money in several tranches to Justice Nganjiwa between June 27, 2012 and December 23, 2014.
Owonikoko argued that the appellate court had fixed January 19 to hear Tarfa’s appeal, challenging Justice Akintoye’s refusal to quash the charge.
He added that the amended charge was a violation of Section 39 (9) of the Constitution, which prohibits an accused from being charged twice for the same offence.
But EFCC’s counsel Rotimi Oyedepo argued that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) allows the prosecution to amend a charge at any time before judgment.
He urged the court not to allow the defence delay the trial.
In a bench ruling, Justice Akintoye dismissed Tarfa’s objection, adding that there was nothing wrong with the amended charge.
She ordered the registrar to read the amended charge to the defendant, following which Tarfa pleaded not guilty.
Subsequently, the court adjourned the case till November 28, for continuation of trial.
Tarfa is also on trial before Justice Aishat Opesanwo, for, among others, obstructing EFCC officials from carrying out their statutory duties.
The EFCC alleged that on February 5, Tarfa hid two suspects, Nazaire Sorou Gnanhoue and Modeste Finagnon – both Beninoise – in his Mercedes Benz Sports Utility car, thereby shielding them from arrest.
culled from: The Nation