Fraud Case: Bank Documents Hinder Ex-Naval Chief Trial

By Ogbolu George with agency report

The trial of a former Chief of Naval staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, was on Wednesday hindered due to the inability of his lawyers to access relevant bank documents.

Usman Jibrin is standing trial, alongside Rear Admirals Shehu Ahmadu and Bala Mshelia on a four-count charge on criminal conspiracy and N600 million fraud.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had accused Jubrin, Ahmadu and Mshelia, of fraudulently withdrawing the sum of N600 million from Naval Engineering Account for purchase of a house which was not captured in the Navy budget.

Yakubu Mekyau(SAN), the defense counsel who had demanded for the bank document at the resumption of hearing, said the prosecution team did not make the documents, which are very crucial to the case, available to him.

However, Farouk Abdallah, the lead Prosecution counsel, said he had no intention to delay the hearing and all required documents were in their custody.

Justice Sadiq Umar, who presided over the case, urged the prosecution counsel to make all the required documents available to the defense.

He therefore adjourned the case to March 27 and March 28 for continuation.