N5.1b Arms-Gate Trial: Witness Claims His Statement was Obtained Under Duress

Iwejuo Joseph Nna, the co-accused in the N5.1 billion corruption case involving an ex-aide of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamo-Owei Emmanuel Dudafa, on Monday, recounted before Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos how he was starved for two days, while being detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He made this disclosure during the examination-in-chief by his lawyer, Sunday Abumere, in a trial-within-trial ordered by the court to determine whether or not his statements to the commission were voluntarily made.
Recounting his ordeal, he said: “I was a banker before this whole thing started, but I got suspended because of the on-going case. I was invited to my bank’s head office on May 10, 2016, for an onward movement to the EFCC’s office to be interrogated on an issue.
“On arrival at the place, I was taken to one Orji Chukwuma, who told me that I needed to help them on this issue and that they want me to be a witness against the 1st defendant (Dudafa). Two other officers of the EFCC said the same thing to me
“I was later given a paper to write my statement, but it was withheld because I was told that was not what they want me to write. During this period, I did not eat anything for two days. When I wanted to go and eat, Orji told me I couldn’t go because there was no officer that will follow me to the canteen.
“My phone was later taken away from me and I was guided on what to write. I was promised not to be detained if I cooperated with them. I wrote more than eleven statements at the EFCC’s office”.
Earlier, Dudafa had concluded his own evidences in the trial-within-trial, insisting that he wrote his statements under duress.
The court had also admitted a remand order secured by the EFCC from a magistrate court to further detain Dudafa, while investigation into the case was on-going.
Further hearing in the matter has been adjourned to February 21.
Dudafa was arraigned alongside Nna (alias Taiwo Ebenezer and Olugbenga Isaiah) by the EFCC on a 23-count charge of alleged N5.1billion fraud.
Some of the companies allegedly used by the duo in committing the offences includes; Seagate Property Development & Investment Limited, Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited; Iwejuo Joseph Nna and Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited; Iwejuo Joseph Nna and Rotate Interlink Services Limited.
Others are; Ibejige Services Limited; DE Jakes Fast Food & Restaurant Nigeria Limited and Ebiwise Resources.