The Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 presented two
more witnesses and closed its case against a former Chairman
Presidential
Implementation on Maritime Safety (PICCOMS), Air Vice Marshal Saliu Atawodi
(rtd) and two others who are being prosecuted before Justice U.P Kekemeke of
the FCT High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja for conspiracy, abuse of office and
misappropriation of public funds.
The other accused
are Rabiu Hassan and Hypertech Nigeria Limited.
Atawodi allegedly
abused his position as chairman PICCOMS to defraud the Nigerian government to
the tune of N600million through a dubious contract to procure military boats.
He awarded the contract to Hassan's Hypertech Nigeria Limited. The contractor
was fully paid, but the boats were never supplied. The contract award process
violated the Procurement Act.
The witnesses, Major
General Shay Tan (rtd) a Jew based in Israel and Mailafia Yakubu, who testified
as PW4 and PW5 respectively, were led in evidence by counsel to EFCC, Victor
Ukagwu.
After their
testimony, Atawodi’s counsel, Karina Tunyan, SAN, told the court of the defence
intention to file a no-case submission relying on Section 302 of the ACJA,
2015.
Thereafter, Justice
Kekemeke adjourned to February 28, 2017 for adoption of written address on the
no-case submission.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head Media &
Publicity
8th February, 2017
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