N24bn Police Pension Fraud: Court Admits Crucial Evidence

The trial of Esai Dangabar and six others who are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for their complicity in the police pension scam continued on Wednesday, December 10,  before Justice Husseini Bala Yusuf of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The accused: Esai Dangabar, Atiku Abubakar Kigo, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, Mrs Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula, Sani Habila Zira, Uzoma Cyril Attang and Christain Madubuke who were alleged to have defrauded the Police Pension Office to the tune of N24billion were arraigned on April 10, 2013 on a 20 count amended charge that bordering on criminal breach of trust contrary to section 315 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

At the resumed hearing of the case today, the court admitted as exhibit, a letter titled “Re- Investigation Activities” dated January 6, 2014 which the prosecution had sought to tender as evidence.

It would be recalled that the defense led by Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, at the last adjourned date, contested the admissibility of the document, saying the author of the document is an interested party in the case.

However, counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, argued that the document is admissible as the person tendering it has no personal or pecuniary interest in the case.

Justice Yusuf while ruling on the matter today held that the document does not violate the Evidence Act. He consequently admitted it as exhibit.

The case has been adjourned to Febuary 10 and 20, 2015 for continuation of trial.