The trial of Frank Karkitie, an oil marketer, charged with defrauding UBA of N282.7 million was stalled on Thursday following the absence of a prosecution witness.


Mr Karkitie is being tried alongside his company, Enegas Power Ltd, Dawodu Sheriff and Ogbemudia Benson.

The defendants are facing a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretences, obtaining money by false pretences, conspiracy to commit forgery and forgery.

Vera Agboje, the lead counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), informed the court that the witness, who was expected to testify, was writing a postgraduate examination at the University of Lagos.

“My lord, I called the witness which I had prepared for this trial yesterday and he said he would be having his postgraduate examination today.


“He said the examination will be conducted from 9am to 12pm. My humble application before the court is for a stand-down to enable my witness to attend trial,” the counsel said.

Following the development, Justice Josephine Oyefeso, adjourned the case until Sept. 18 for continuation of trial.

According to the EFCC, the defendants on April 14, 2014 in Lagos conspired to obtain money by false pretences from UBA.

https://nairatrend.com.ng/n282-7-million-uba-fraud-absence-of-witness-stalls-oil-marketers-trial/

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Chaii