Rickey Tarfa files no case submission in bribery case

Tarfa had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). It would be recalled that the EFCC Prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo had on October 23 closed its case after calling six witnesses who testified against Rickey Tarfa. EFCC’s arrest stalls Suswam’s trial over alleged N3.1bn fraud The trial began in March 2016. Tarfa’s counsel, Mr Jelili Owonikoko (SAN), had thereafter sought an adjournment to enable the defense to analyze its case and decide on the step to take. However, at the resumed hearing of the case on Thursday Owonikoko SAN told the court that he has filed a no case submission. “At the last adjourned date the prosecution closed their case. Our response, in this case, is that a no case submission will suffice. ” He urged the Judge to discharge the defendant based on the view that there is no case to answer. “I urge your lordship to discharge the defendant in the view that there is no case to answer.” In his response the EFCC prosecutor, Mr Nnemeka Omewa confirmed the service of the no case submission on them but that they were yet to file a reply. Justice Adebayo Akintoye adjourned to December 12, 2017, for the hearing of the application. The EFCC had first arraigned Tarfa on March 9, 2016, on a 27-count charge bordering on the offering of gratification to some judges and perversion of the course of justice. The anti-graft agency alleged that Tarfa offered N5.3 million gratification to a judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa, to `compromise’ the judge. The Commission further alleged that the SAN lied about his age and failed to declare his assets to the commission upon his arrest on February 5, 2015.]]>