EFCC opposes Rickey Tarfa’s no-case submission
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday filed a counter-affidavit opposing a no-case submission filed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Rickey Tarfa.
The EFCC arraigned Tarfa on March 10 last year on a 27-count charge which was amended to 26 counts.
He was accused of willful obstruction of authorised EFCC officials, refusal to declare assets and giving false information to a public officer.
It was also alleged, among others, that Tarfa offered N5.3 million gratification to Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, to compromise the judge.
The trial began in March last year before Justice Adedayo Akintoye of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere.
EFCC called five witnesses in the trial and tendered 20 exhibits.
Tarfa filed a no-case submission, contending that EFCC did not sufficiently prove the case to warrant him opening his defence. He urged the court to dismiss the charge and discharge him on the basis that he had no case to answer.
But, EFCC, in the counter-affidavit deposed to by an operative, Zakari Usman, said the prosecution made out a prima facie case against Tarfa based on witness testimonies and tendered exhibits.
“The evidence of the prosecution witness is strong and un-discredited. This Honourable Court can rely on it to safely convict the applicant. The applicant has a case to answer in view of the overwhelming evidence adduced by the prosecution in the course of the applicant’s trial,” Usman said.