Court Fixes Oct. 20 for Trial of Amosu, Other Air Force Chiefs

A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday fixed October 20 and 21 for the trial of a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Adesola Amosu (rtd) and 10 others charged for alleged N22.8 billion fraud.

Amosu was charged alongside two other officers from the Air Force – Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and Air Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga. They were charged alongside some companies namely: Delfina Oil and Gas Limited, Mcallan Oil and Gas Limited, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Limited, Trapezites BDC, and Fonds and Pricey Limited.

The accused are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They were arraigned on June 26 and had pleaded not guilty to the charges. The presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, had then granted them bail in the sum of N500 million each with two sureties each in like sum. At the resumed proceedings yesterday, counsel to the EFCC, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that he was ready to open his case against the accused, adding that two witnesses were present in court.

Oyedepo said the EFCC had discharged its obligation by serving the proof of evidence on the accused. But responding, counsel to the accused, Mr Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), told the court that the matter was only adjourned for mention and that the case could not be heard. He said the record of the court could bear him witness.