Alleged N10b fraud: Drama as EFCC’s alleged threatened witness appears in court

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

There was a mild drama at the Federal High Court, Abuja, Tuesday, as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged threatened witness, Rabiu Musa suddenly appeared in court.
The Abuja based Bureau De Change operator, is that prosecution star witness in an alleged N10billion fraud suit against Ali Bello and Daudu Suleiman.
At the resumed trial, Tuesday, Counsel to EFCC, Hannatu Kofamaisa informed Justice James Omotoso that the witness, was alleged to have been threatened, following his appearance at the last trial and got scared.
Hannatu explained that the witness would not be in court to continue his evidence, based on his experience of threats at the last adjourned date, adding that she had called the witness five times but that he was no longer picking her calls.
She therefore seeks for an adjournment of the trial.
Responding, Counsel to Ali Bello, Abdullahi Aliu, SAN, said that he would not react to the EFCC’s allegations because they were not targeted at his client and did not oppose the request for an adjournment.
However, drama unfolded when the witness alleged to have been threatened away from court and would not attend the trial, suddenly walked into the court room without any signs of apprehension.
The counsel to Ali Bello got up and drew the attention of Justice Omotoso to the quiet arrival of the witness into the court room.
It took the intervention of Justice Omotoso to doused tension lawyers to Ali Bello and Daudu Suleman from joining issues with EFCC on the allegations.
In his testimony, the witness identitied one of his record books of transactions seized from him by EFCC during a raid of his office at Wuse, in Abuja and also admitted knowing Ali Bello.
Under cross examination by Nureni Jimoh SAN who stood for Daudu Suleman, the Bureau De Change operator who claimed to be an illiterate said most of the transactions were recorded for him by one Mubarak who he said was literate and now a student at a University.
The witness also said that parts of the transactions were recorded in his absence but that he was always briefed upon his arrival at the office.
Meanwhile, the matter has been adjourned till February 22 and 23 for continuation of trial.