The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has re- arraigned the former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Mr. Jauro Haruna for stealing and laundering one hundred and fifty six point four million naira, during his short tenure at the Agency.
Mr. Haruna, alongside his accomplice, Dr. Dauda Bawa were re- arraigned on Monday November 10, 2020 on nineteen counts charge before Justice Chuka Obiozor, of the Federal High Court, Lagos.
The four year old case, is starting afresh before Justice Obiozor after it had reached the stage of final written ardress, a step closer to judgement before the retirement of Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, in November 2019, who handled the matter.
With the new arraignment, all the steps taken before Justice Olatoregun, have to be repeated before Justice Obiozor.
In the charge, the EFCC urged that the Defendants in January 2014, converted the sum of one hundred and fifty six point four million naira, belonging to NIMASA, to their own, a contradiction of section 18c, of the Money and Laundering Prohibition Act, 2012 and were liable to punishment under section 15(three) of the same Act.
They have however pleaded not guilty as they had done, before Justice Olatoregun.
Meanwhile, the Prosecuting Counsel to the EFCC, Mr Usman Buhari, urged the Court to fix a date for commencement of trial and to make an order remanding them in a Correctional Custody but the Defense Counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo, SAN, urged the Court to allow his Clients to continue on the bail granted them by Justice Olatoregun.
In a ruling, Justice Obiozor granted Ojo’s bail request and adjourned the case till March 17, 2021 for commencement of trial.
Modupe Arotolu
