Defense Lawyer puts Prosecution in a bind
…..Investigator admits no link between Defendants
By Kabir Akintayo
POLITICS DIGEST- In a dramatic turn of events at the Special Offenders Court in Ikeja, in the case of one Mark Obisesan vs. the EFCC, the defense led by Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), appeared to have cornered the prosecution by placing the lead investigator of the case, one Mr. Olufemi Olukinni, on the stand.
The defense attorney skilfully posed a series of questions that ultimately revealed that Mark Obisesan had no link to the other defendants accused of owning and trading fake traveller’s cheques.
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Although Mr. Olukinni argued that while their investigation did not establish any link between the defendants, there exists a conspiracy to commit the alleged offense. However, the presiding judge, Justice I.O Ijelu, over-ruled the EFCC investigator and the prosecutor, stating that “it is only the court that can determine whether a conspiracy exists or not.”
Furthermore, after subjecting them to forensic analysis, Mr. Olukinni admitted under oath that some of the traveller’s cheques (specifically exhibit 9) was genuine.
Mr. Obisesan was arrested and charged to court by the EFCC in 2019 for being in possession of a fake traveller’s cheque. Mr. Obisesan maintains that he legally purchased the cheques from a reliable agent and later realized some were fake. Upon this realization, he made several efforts to recover his money until his unfortunate arrest by the EFCC. Mr. Obisesan claims he is innocent and has vowed to clear his name and image in court.
The trial will continue June 21, 22 and July 5, 6, 10 following an adjournment by the presiding judge.
