14/06/2016

N1.16bn fraud: Dariye makes U-turn, dumps no-case submission



A former Governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, on Tuesday rescinded his earlier decision to file a no-case submission after the prosecution closed its case in his ongoing trial before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Gudu, Abuja.
It was the second time the former governor was changing his decision to suspend his defence over a plan to file his no-case submisison.
An accused person files a no-case submission after the prosecution closes its case to contend that that prosecution’s evidence is not cogent to warrant him opening his defence, and thus seeks an order striking out the charges against him or her.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Dariye, a senator, on charges of alleged diversion of Plateau State’s ecological fund estimated at N1.16bn while he was governor in the state.
Earlier in the previous proceedings when the prosecution announced the closure of its case on June 8, after calling 10 witnesses, Dariye’s lawyer, Garba Pwul (SAN), informed the court about his client’s readiness to conduct his defence.
‎‎But on June 10, he changed his mind when parties returned to court for him to open his defence by opting to file a no-case submission.
The judge had then fixed Tuesday for the hearing of the no-case submission.
But on Tuesday, Pwul told the court presided over by Justice Adebukola Banjoko that his client had changed his mind again and had dropped the plan to file a no-case submission.
He indicated that his client, who was Governor of Plateau State between 1999 and 2007, would open his defence promptly.
Pwul had earlier informed the judge of four witness summons he filed to compel four individuals to appear in court and testify for his client.
Justice Banjoko had endorsed the summons, which were to be served on the affected individuals.
Pwul then told the court that Dariye intended to call seven witnesses.
‎‎The judge on Tuesday adjourned till June 17 for Dariye to open his defence.

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