The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal Office, on Thursday, July 26, 2018, arraigned one John Warimeme Abebe 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.
Another count reads: โThat 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.โ
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
In view of his plea, Rotimi Oyedepo asked the court for a trial date and prayed for accelerated hearing.
โI 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.โ
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 โthe bundle of documents in courtโ, while the Judge was delivering a judgment (in another matter).
He, therefore, prayed for a short time to enable him respond to the application โbecause of certain allegations on oath that was deposed to.โ
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.
