N600m fraud: Ex-Naval Chief Jibrin”s trial stalled over missing document
The trial of former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin before an Abuja High Court was today stalled over a missing document in the proof of evidence. Jibrin was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a four count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy alongside Rear Admiral Bala Mshelia […]
The trial of former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin before an Abuja High Court was today stalled over a missing document in the proof of evidence.
Jibrin was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a four count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy alongside Rear Admiral Bala Mshelia (rtd) and Rear Admiral Shehu Ahmadu (rtd) for allegedly buying a house worth N600million from the account of Naval Engineering Services without the said purchase contract being captured in the budget.
EFCC further alleged that the documentation for transfer of ownership of the property was done such that a private company owned by the family of Jibrin became the buyer of the house.
At the commencement of trial on Monday, Jibrin’s counsel, Y. C. Maikyau (SAN) told the court that a "very germane document is missing from the proof of evidence filed by the prosecution."
He said the missing document was a letter that accompanied the documents forwarded to the EFCC at its request by the Naval headquarters and received by the Commission on 08/01/2016.
The letter is said to have indicated that the Navy has taken over the property Jibrin is being accused of purchasing from the account of Naval Engineering Services.
Prosecution counsel, J.O. Uzor told the court he was not aware of the existence of such letter. However, after conversing with his colleagues, he told the court the said letter would be made available to the defendant tomorrow.
Earlier, Uzor said the prosecution’s first witness was in court and that the prosecution was ready to commence with the trial, subject to the directives of the court.
Justice A.S. Umar however adjourned the matter to tomorrow so as to enable the prosecution furnish the 1st defendant (Jibrin) with the document.