RICKEY TARFA: JUDGE BLASTS EFCC FOR STALLING TRIAL

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Rickey Tarfa, SAN

Lagos, Oct 24, 2016 – Trial of Mr. Rickey Tarfa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) was today stalled due to the inability of the prosecution, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to provide the defense team necessary documents required for the trial.

Tarfa is on trial for allegedly obstructing arrest of Nazaire Odeste and Gnanhoue of Rane Prestige Nig.Ltd and Hair Prestige Nig. Ltd at the premises of the Lagos state High Court, Igbosere.




Counsel to the prosecution, Abba Mohammed has tendered before the court petition written by the prosecution witness, Awolusi Moses, intimating the Deputy Director of Operation, how the defendant allegedly prevented the arrest of the suspects.

However, in his reaction, the defense counsel, Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN) objected on the ground that it was not included in the proof of evidence filed before the court by the prosecution.

” The petition written by the PW1 was not front loaded in the proof of evidence of the prosecution. The EFCC adopted a tactics of trial by ambush as we are never aware of the petition as part of proof of evidence contrary to standard rule of criminal procedure,” he said.

” The whole world is watching the trial, more so the EFCC has finished the trial on the pages of newspaper and now cannot continue in court. We are shocked that since the last adjournment, prosecution has not done the needful to commence trial.”

Owonikoko further said his client has been out of practice as a result of the trial that is why we are ready to speed up the trial without delay. The whole world is watching.”

Irked be the action of the EFCC, Justice Aishat Opesanwo said that the matter is of public importance and interest, and that the court vacated other matters earlier scheduled for the day to hear the matter but it was obvious the agency ‘ was not prepared for this trial.’



She therefore adjourned the matter till October 31,2016, and January 17th and 26th for the ‘ prosecution to put its house in order .’

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