- The EFCC has re-arraigned Waripamo-Owei Emmanuel Dudafa in court
- Dudafa, an ex-aide of Goodluck Jonathan is facing N1.6billion alleged fraud charges
- Dudafa and one other person were re-arraigned on a 22 counts amended charge on Friday
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has rearraigned the former Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan, on Domestic Affairs, Dr. Waripamo-Owei Emmanuel Dudafa, over alleged N1.6billion fraud.
Dudafa, arraigned alongside Iwejuo Joseph Nna on a 22 counts amended charge, retook his pleas on the amended charge dated November 9, 2018. Nna did same too.
The Sun reports that while delivering ruling either to allow the amended charge or to dismiss it, Justice Idris held that an amendment was permissible by law at any time before judgment, adding that once there is an amendment, the accused are expected to plead to same.
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The judge said: “Section 396(7) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, allows the court to conclude part heard matters within reasonable time, and I have no doubt that this falls within the ambit of the law.
“This court is sitting pursuant to a flat, and this fiat is not open ended, but will expire after its time, and the trial will begin de novo before another judge.
“The defendants are at liberty to call or recall any witness in the case; in my opinion, a reasonable time is when the time for justice does not wear out against the parties, but is seen to be done.”
Both Dudafa and Nna, however, pleaded not guilty to the amended charge and the case was adjourned till Monday 19, for continuation of trial.
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Legit.ng earlier reported that the EFCC, on Tuesday, September 4, challenged the claim that the N1.6 billion linked to former aide of ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamo-Owei Dudafa was a donation to the Anglican Communion in Bayelsa state.
The commission declared that there was no evidence for the transaction that Dudafa claimed in his evidence-in-chief that the money was raised for a church, courtesy of former president Jonathan.
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Jonathan replies to Buhari's allegations on Legit.ng TV:
Source: Legit.ng
