Money Laundering: Belgore Gets New Trial Date

By Ogbolu George

The trial of  Dele Belgore (SAN), for alleged money laundering, was hindered on Thursday due to the unavailability of the prosecuting counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Rotimi Oyedepo.

Dele Belgore was arraigned on February 8, 2017, with Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, a  former Minister of National Planning, on five counts of alleged laundering of N500m.

Another lawyer from the EFCC, N.Anana, told Justice R.M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Lagos, that Oyedepo was unable to make it to court because his vehicle broke down.

Anana, who urged the trial Judge to stand the case down for a short moment for Oyedepo to arrive, also said the first prosecution witness coming from Ekiti was still on his way.

Ebun Shofunde, Belgore’s lawyer, however, opposed the application for a short stand down.

Belgore’s lawyer said he had another matter to attend to for the day, adding that the court could not wait for a witness who was on his way.

The second defence counsel, O. Ayanlaja (SAN), also said that his client came all the way from Abuja to attend his trial in Lagos and the prosecution should show some seriousness.

Justice Aikawa said he would not stand the matter down to wait for a witness.

He urged the prosecution to show more seriousness so that the matter could be concluded quickly.

The trial Judge adjourned the case till March 13 and 14 for definite trial.