The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Thursday fixed April 24 for ruling on whether or not the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could alter the evidence of its witness by showing him his initial statement to the commission.
The judge, Emeka Nwite, fixed the date in Abuja at the ongoing alleged money laundering trial of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
Counsel to the former governor, Joseph Daudu, SAN, had objected to the move by the EFCC counsel, Mr Kemi Pinheiro SAN, to re-present Exhibit 46, the 12th Prosecution Witness’ statement to the EFCC.
Daudu SAN argued that, to contradict its witness, the prosecution must first seek the leave of court to declare the witness hostile.
This followed evidence in court that it appeared not to have aligned with what the witness, Abdullahi Jamilu, had written in his initial statement.
The EFCC witness, owner of Kumfayakum Global Limited, had said that he converted certain funds deposited in his account by one Abba Adaudu to United States dollars and handed it over to the latter at various times, either in his office or at the recipient’s office, in Abuja.
He was asked if he could recall delivering the funds at any other location other than the offices of both parties, but he said he could only affirm delivering the foreign currency at the office.