By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Senior Correspondent
A Senior Detective Superintendent with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Chukwuma Orji, today (Wednesday) told a Lagos High Court, Lagos presided over by Justice Mohammed Idris that a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamo-Owei, Dudafa did not declare 15 million shares he possessed in a secret company.
Orji disclosed the information while giving evidence at the resumed trial of Dudafa over N5.1 billion fraud in which he was arraigned alongside one Joseph Iwejuo by the EFCC on 23-counts charge of conspiracy and concealment of crime proceeds.
Led in conclusion of his evidence in chief by the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, the witness told the court that following intelligence report, the commission discovered a company known as Ibejige Services Ltd; adding that further investigations revealed that the mandate of the company had the signature of Dudafa and also bears his international passport.
According to the prosecution witness, “intelligence also showed that in July 2015, Dudafa signed as Chairman of the Company”, adding that his wife was also a signatory to the company.
Furthermore, he told the court that investigations showed that Dudafa possessed 15 million shares in the said company, and had failed to declare same in his asset declaration.
After his evidence, Oyedepo informed the court that he had closed his examination in chief with the witness.
After closing evidence in chief by the prosecutor, the defence counsel Mr Gboyega Oyewoleb (SAN) while cross examining Mr Orji, asked for his employment details.
In response Orji said: “I joined the commission between 2007 and 2008, and am currently a Senior Detective Superintendent,”
On his educational qualification, he told the court that he possessed a degree and a master’s degree in Engineering.
On the question whether the accused was under any investigation before a report was made on him, the witness told the court that the commission receives intelligence before it springs into investigations.
When asked if he was aware of an invitation by the EFCC to the accused, he said: “My lord there is a process called “need to know “and I am not a part of that team.
On whether the accused was declared wanted, the witness told the court that exhibit F2, (an EFCC letter written to the Department of Security Services on diversion of public funds) was sufficient to mark him wanted.
At this juncture Justice Idris asked parties to take a date for continuation of cross examination. After putting their heads together, counsels agreed on December 14 for continuation of trial.
Dudafa was arraigned alongside Iwejuo, also called by the names Taiwo Ebenezer and Olugbenga Isaiah.
Some of the companies allegedly used by the duo in committing the offences include; Seagate Property Development & Investment Ltd, Avalon Global Property Development Company Ltd; Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd; and Rotate Interlink Services Ltd.
Others are; Ibejige Services Ltd; DE Jakes Fast Food & Restaurant Nigeria Ltd and Ebiwise Resources.