BREAKING) N1.9b Oil Subsidy Fraud: Judge Orders 24-hour Surveillance on Sick Convict, Ugo-Ndagi

Judgement Day was further postponed today for convicted Managing Director of Ontario Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, Mrs Adaoha Ugo Ndagi, who is still receiving treatment at a Lagos hospital.
Justice Lateefa Okunnu of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, had on Friday fixed today for the judgement after Ugo Ndagi slumped in the dock before the sentence could be pronounced.
Today, the Judge, however, ordered the Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP), Fatai Owoseni, to keep the convict under watch, until she is remanded in prison as earlier directed by the Court.
She gave order in the absence of Ugo-Ndagi, who was allegedly under intensive medical care at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
The judge further directed the Medical Directors of Havana Hospital, Surulere, and LUTH, to swear to an affidavit of means, clearly stating the Ugi-Ndagi’s health status.
Prior to the ruling of the judge, Ugo-Ndagi’s lawyer, Y.A Kadiri had tried vigorously to explain why his convicted client was absent in court to be sentenced as earlier scheduled.
Kadiri said, “When she collapsed on Friday, she was rushed to Havana Hospital where she was placed on life support and oxygen.
“The prison officials were with her throughout Friday and on Saturday.
She was referred to LUTH where she is currently receiving treatment.”
Kadiri later tendered a copy of the medical report from Havana Hospital, even as he informed the judge that efforts were being made to get the medical report from LUTH.
Reacting, lawyer to EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), placed a reminder before the court on the antecedents of the matter, with an addition that the first convict, and Chairman of the oil company, Walter Wagbatsoma had intimated the Court that he was incarcerated at the National Hospital, Abuja, but it was uncovered that he was in Germany, despite the fact that his international passport was deposited with the Chief Registrar (CR) of the Lagos High Court.
Oyedepo said, “We are aware that the convict was at Havana where the prison officials and some EFCC operatives kept watch over her.
“The prison officials were however not comfortable with the private hospital and she was transferred to LUTH on request.
“As at Friday, the convict was in stable condition and doing very well.”
He pleaded that the court should pronounce the sentence in the absence of the convicts.”
Ruling on the arguments of both lawyers, Justice Okunnu held that there seems to be a lacuna in the law as to the sentencing of the convicts in absentia.
The judge added, “The medical report presented by the second convict must be accompanied by an affidavit which must be filed today.
“The medical Directors must also swear to an affidavit stating her exact medical condition.”
The judge thereafter reserved sentencing until Wednesday, January 18.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had accused Ugo-Ndagi and another oil marketer, Walter Wagbatsoma of defrauding the Federal Government of N1.9billion through the petroleum products subsidy support fund using fake documents.
The case was on for 5 years before Justice Okunnu, on January 13, 2017, found the duo guilty as charged.