N6.8bn fraud: Judge’s absence stalls ex-NAMA MD’s trial

The absence of the judge in the trial of the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Ibrahim Abdulsalam in a N6.8billion fraud was stalled at the Federal High Court, Lagos.

Abdulsalam is facing trial alongside six of his former Directors and General Managers for allegedly stealing and defrauding NAMA to the tune of N6.8 billion. They were said to have used it for the personal use.

Others facing trial with Abdulsalam are Director, Director of Finance, Clara Aliche, General Manager, Finance, Segun Agbolade; Assistant General Manager, Muyiwa Adegorite, his wife, Joy Adegorite and two companies, Randville Investment Limited and Multeng Travels and Tours Limited.

The case was fixed for continuation of trial on Wednesday but the absence of Justice Babs Kuewumi who is attending a conference in Abuja stalled it.

The court has now fixed November 8, Nov. 9 and Nov 10 as new dates for the trial.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had on April 7, 2015 arraigned the NAMA boss, three directors of the agency and the wife of one of the directors.

The charge was subsequently amended to include three more accused persons, while all were re-arraigned on April 12, 2016.

They again pleaded not guilty to the charges, and were admitted to a bail of N20 million each with two sureties each in like sum.

On August 19, 2013, the EFCC had alleged that the accused conspired to induce NAMA to pay N2.8 billion to three companies-Delosa Limited, Air Sea Delivery Limited and Sea Schedules System Limited.

It was also alleged that between Jan. 2 and Dec.17, 2013, the defendants appropriated N191 million belonging to NAMA as well as converting N728 million and other sums between 2013 and 2015 to personal use.

The offences contravened the provisions of Sections 1 (3) and 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

Wole Shadare