Court adjourns Ricky Tarfa’s trial to October 31

The trial of Mr. Rickey Tarfa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, was Monday stalled due to the inability of the prosecutor, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to provide the defense team necessary documents required for the trial.

The anti-graft agency had dragged Tarfa before the court for allegedly preventing its officers from arresting some suspects, Nadir Odeste and Gnanhoue of Rane Prestige Nig. Ltd and Hair Prestige Nig. Ltd at the premises of the state High Court, Igbosere.

At the hearing of the matter yesterday before Justice Aishat Opesanwo, counsel to EFCC, Abba Mohammed, tendered before the court, petition written by prosecution witness, Awolusi Moses, intimating the Deputy Director of Operation, how the defendant allegedly prevented the arrest of the suspects.

However, in his reaction, the defense counsel, Abiodun Owonikoko, SAN, objected to the tendering of the document, on the ground that it was not included in the proof of evidence filed before the court by the prosecution.

“The petition written by the PW1 was not front loaded in the proof of evidence of the prosecution.

The EFCC adopted a tactics of trial by ambush as we are never aware of the petition as part of proof of evidence contrary to standard rule of criminal procedure.

“The whole world is watching the trial, more so the EFCC has finished the trial on the pages of newspaper and now cannot continue in court.

“We are shocked that since the last adjournment, prosecution has not done the needful to commence trial,” he said. Owonikoko further said his client has been out of practice as a result of the trial.

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