EFCC Arraigns Obasanjo’s In-Law, John Abebe, for Forgery …Suspect Remanded in Ikoyi Prison

Matilda Omonaiye/

 

Dr John Warimeme Abebe, a brother to a late Nigerian First Lady, Stella Obasanjo, landed in Ikoyi Prison today after he was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for forgery.

Abebe appeared before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on a four-count charge bordering on forgery, fabricating evidence, using fabricated evidence and attempt to pervert the course of justice.

He was charged by the Lagos zonal office of EFCC headed by Mr Akan Ezima.

One of the counts reads:  “That you, Dr. John Warimeme Abebe, on or about the 22nd day of June, 2010, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly forged BP Exploration Nigeria Limited’s letter dated 30th November,1995 to Inducon (Nigeria) Limited by inserting in page 2 of the said letter the following words: “Also note that the ‘Buy-Out Option’ only applies to the pre-production stage of the NPIA. The $4m buy-out is thus irrelevant from the production of oil in any of our fields” and purported same to have been issued by BP Exploration Nigeria Limited and committed an offence contrary to Section 467 of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.”

Another count reads: “That you, Dr John Warimeme Abebe, on or about the 22nd day of June 2010 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly used a fabricated evidence in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/224/2010 Between Dr. John Abebe, Inducon Nigeria Limited And Statoil Nigeria Limited, before the Federal High Court, which evidence was admitted and marked exhibit BB in the said suit and committed an offence contrary to Section 120 (2) of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

In view of his plea, EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, asked the court for a trial date and prayed for accelerated hearing.

“I urge your Lordship to invoke the spirit of Section 19 of the EFCC Act and I also pray your Lord to remand the defendant in prison custody,” he said.

The defence counsel, Uche Nwokedi, SAN, however, informed the court of a bail application.

He also prayed the court to remand the defendant in the EFCC custody, pending the outcome of the bail application.

In his response, Oyedepo confirmed receipt of “the bundle of documents in court”, while the Judge was delivering a judgment (in another matter).

He, therefore, prayed for a short time to enable him to respond to the application “because of certain allegations on oath that was deposed to”.

Consequently, Justice Dada adjourned the matter to August 2, 2018, and ordered the defendant to be remanded in Ikoyi Prison custody pending the hearing of the bail application.

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