Witness, EFCC disagree on threat to life

by: Adebisi Onanuga
7th October 2014 (The Nation Newspaper’s)
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Witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kehinde Akinmolayan, has denied the commission’s claim that his life is under threat.

Akinmolayan, who was said to be the star witness in a N1.1 billion fuel subsidy fraud charge brought by the commission against two oil marketers, Opeyemi Ajuyah and Abdullahi Alao, testified before Justice Lateefat Okunnu.

Akinmolayan, a former Terminal Manager of Lister Jetty, Apapa, was summoned to testify in the trial.

EFCC Counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo had told the court that Akimolayan, an engineer, refused to honour invitations to give evidence.

Oyedepo claimed that the witness alleged that some persons were after his life and that someone attempted to gain entrance into his residence.

He said the witness refused to show in spite of assurances made to him to protect his life.

Oyedepo then prayed the court to issue a summons on the witness.

Justice Okunnu had granted his request.

But at the resumed trial, Akinmolayan denied that his life was under threat contrary to the EFCC’s claims.

The witness, under cross-examination by defense lawyers, Mr Olarenwaju Ajanaku and Mr Aderemi Oguntoye, said his life was not threatened.

“I have not been attacked, but I am conscious of my security,” he added.

The marketers, Ajuyah and Alao are being prosecuted with their firms, Majope Investment Limited and Axenergy Limited and a banker, Olanrewaju Olalusi. They, however, denied the charge.

Akinmolayan confirmed to the court that he supervised the alleged transaction between January 20 and 22, 2011. “The vessel, MT Brave came to our jetty and we attended to it. We discharged 4,264 metric tonnes into the tank farm and the balance was taken away,” he said.

Akinmolayan, however, denied signing any of the documents relating to the said transaction because as he only played a supervisory role.

Justice Okunnu adjourned till November 10.

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