YOU HAVE CASE TO ANSWER, COURT TELLS MOHAMMED DELE BELGORE

IKOYI, Lagos – A Lagos Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos has dismissed a no-case-submission, filed by former governorsip candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in Kwara State, Mohammed Belgore(SAN) and a former Minister of National Planning, Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, on N400 million fraud charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Justice Rilwan Aikawa gave the order while ruling on two separate applications for no-case submission filed by the two accused persons. Justice Aikawa disclosed that after a careful study of the prosecution’s case, he had formed an opinion that the accused persons should enter their defence. 

After the ruling, Belgore’s lawyer, Mr. Seni Adio, SAN, drew the court’s attention to a motion, asking the EFCC to furnish him with the complete set of his client’s statements to the commission.  He alleged that part of the statements written by Belgore is still with the EFCC, saying the production of the documents is vital to his client’s defence. 

In his response, EFCC’s lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, denied holding on to any of Belgore’s statements. He alleged that the motion which he claimed was just served on him in court yesterday was a ploy to prevent the defendants from opening their defence. Justice Aikawa while adjourning further hearing in the matter to April 30, directed the EFCC to file a formal response to the motion.  The two accussed persons were on November 28, last year, re-arraigned before the court on an amended nine count charge bordering on the alleged offence. 

They however pleaded not guilty to the charge.