Setting the records straight: Court strikes out EFCC’s impersonation case against Venman
A court has dismissed a case of impersonation against Vincent Bulus Venman brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
A court has dismissed a case of impersonation against Vincent Bulus Venman brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Justice Olukayode Adeniyi ruled on February 3, 2016, that EFCC failed to prove the charge against Venman beyond reasonable doubt.
“Accordingly, the accused Defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted of the entire charge”, the judge ruled, according to a statement on the EFCC site.
Venman was arrested in 2013 and charged with impersonating former Plateau governor Fidelis Tapgun to obtain N5 million from Senator Bukar Abba, a former governor of Yobe state.
EFCC brought six-count charges of impersonation, obtaining by false pretence and attempting to obtain by false pretence.
Venman pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
EFCC produced documents and four witnesses during the trial in 2016.
Venman testified in person and called no witness.
The court also ordered that N2.5million and a Toyota SUV seized from Venman during his arrest in 2013 be released to him.