The trial of Erastus Akingbola, a former Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, continued on April 5, 2019, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, presenting fresh evidence against him.
Akingbola is standing trial on an amended 22-count charge bordering on abuse of office, conversion of funds belonging to Intercontinental Bank Plc, and stealing. Read more about the nature of his alleged crimes here
The fresh evidence, which included the statements of accounts and accounts particulars of Tropics Securities Limited, Tropics Properties Limited and Tropics Finance with Access Bank, were tendered in evidence through the third prosecution witness, Iyoyo Eweh.
Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, informed the court that Eweh, a staff of Access Bank Plc was a substitute for the next witness to be called on the witness list.
Defence counsel, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, however, raised objections, arguing that a witness cannot be substituted in a criminal trial. But Jacobs apologised to the court and to the defence for the new development. Consequently, Eweh was allowed by the court to testify.
Under examination, he told the court that he was recently contacted by the EFCC to provide the statements of accounts and accounts particulars of Tropics Securities Limited, Tropics Properties Limited and Tropics Finance with Access Bank.
“The documents were provided, and I was asked to come and tender them in court,” he added.
Jacobs, thereafter, urged the court to accept the documents in evidence against Akingbola.
Olanipekun, however, opposed the admissibility of the documents, arguing that, “these documents sought to be tendered by the prosecution are documents dated April 3, 2019, 48 hours ago, which seem to be illegal and it is against public policy”.
Responding, Jacobs argued that, the prosecution was not bound to limit itself with the provision of witness and documented facts in a criminal matter.
He added further that, “the documents sought to be tendered are old documents of Intercontinental Bank Plc but sought to be tendered by a mere staff of the bank who has no interest in the case.”
He further argued that Access Bank Plc was not a party, or an interested party in the matter.
“The only interested party in this case is the Federal Government of Nigeria and Dr. Erastus Akingbola,” Jacobs added.
Justice Olatoregun, thereafter, adjourned to April 18, 2019 for ruling on the admissibility of documents.