By Stephen Simon
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to produce an Abuja-based estate agent, Mrs Rebecca Omokamo, in court to continue her trial over alleged land fraud, forgery and money laundering after she failed to appear for the resumed hearing.
Justice Abdulmalik issued the order following an application by EFCC counsel, Benedict Ubi, who informed the court that the first defendant was absent from the proceedings. The judge consequently directed the anti-graft agency to produce Omokamo in court on the next adjourned date to enable the trial to proceed.
Omokamo is standing trial alongside Homadil Realty Limited, Idakwogi Richard John and Rychado Homes Limited on charges bordering on alleged land fraud, forgery and money laundering. While Richard John was present in court, Omokamo’s absence stalled the proceedings.
The prosecution told the court that the defendant had placed herself under what it described as “self-imposed house arrest” following an interim forfeiture order made over a disputed parcel of land. Ubi alleged that she had also obstructed EFCC officials from enforcing the court’s order and breached the conditions of her administrative bail by travelling outside the court’s jurisdiction.
However, defence counsel, Christopher Oshomeghie, SAN, argued that his client had remained indoors for about 23 days because armed EFCC operatives had laid siege to her residence in Guzape, Abuja, leaving her fearful for her safety and unable to attend court. He added that the situation had adversely affected her health.
Responding, Ubi dismissed the defence’s claims, insisting that Omokamo had locked herself inside the apartment, as she retained the keys to the property, and that EFCC officers were merely carrying out the court’s interim forfeiture order. Defence counsel acknowledged that his client had possession of the keys.
Following the submissions, Justice Abdulmalik directed the EFCC to produce the defendant before the court on July 23 for the continuation of trial. The judge later adjourned a related civil suit involving the disputed property until October 15 to hear pending applications, including one seeking final forfeiture of the property.
