A prosecution witness in a N15 million fraud case, on Wednesday said that there was no vessel laden with 30,000 tonnes of Low-Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) as claimed by an accused.
The accused, Clement Obukeuwi, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly obtaining the sum under pretext, from Mr. George Oni, now deceased.
He is standing trial before Justice Deborah Oluwayemi of an Igbosere High Court in Lagos.
A prosecution witness in a N15 million fraud case, on Wednesday said that there was no vessel laden with 30,000 tonnes of Low-Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) as claimed by an accused.
The accused, Clement Obukeuwi, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly obtaining the sum under pretext, from Mr. George Oni, now deceased.
He is standing trial before Justice Deborah Oluwayemi of an Igbosere High Court in Lagos.
The witness, Mr Oluseyi Ademuyiwa, gave evidence during an examination by EFCC Counsel, Miss O. Odiri.
Ademuyiwa, a Ship Inspector, said he went to Port Harcourt three times to evaluate the cargo claimed by Obukeuwi to have been loaded for Oni.
He testified that he found out that there was no vessel or cargo available for Oni.
"I was employed by Mr George Oni to go with the defendant to confirm and inspect a cargo.
“We went to Port Harcourt. When we got there, the defendant gave me a location where he claimed the cargo was, but on getting there, there was no vessel and no cargo.
"It was after the third trip that I called Mr George Oni and told him not to continue with the business because there were no vessel and cargo.
“I also told him that I was leaving Port Harcourt because the assignment was life-threatening," he said.
According to him, Oni persuaded him to stay but he refused and came to Lagos, and thereafter, was invited by the EFCC to come and make a statement on the transaction.
After the evidence of the witness, Defence Counsel, Mr. U. C. Ikebulu, prayed the court to fix a date for the defense to open its case.
The court consequently adjourned the case to July 2, for evidence by the defence.
Obukeuwi was first arraigned on Oct. 31, 2011 on a two-count charge, but he pleaded not guilty.
According to the prosecution, the offences contravene Sections 285 and 313 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State, 2003.
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