Trial of Chinese in alleged N100m bribe stalled by withdrawal of defence counsel

THE trial of two Chinese, Meng Wei Kun and Xui Kuoi of China Zhongao Nigeria Ltd., slated to begin yesterday before Justice Muhammad Sa'idu Sifawa of the Sokoto State High Court, could not go on as planned, following the withdrawal of the defence counsel, Ahmed Raji & Co, from representing the defendants. Based on this, commencement of their trial is now slated for June 29.

The defendants are facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes ( EFCC) for allegedly offering to bribe the Sokoto zonal head of the commission, Mr. Abdullahi Lawal, to the tune of N100 million, out of which a part payment of N50 million in cash was offered on May 12, 2020. The suspects were arrested by the EFCC operatives.

China Zhongao Nigeria Ltd, a construction firm, is being investigated by the commission in connection with the execution of contracts awarded to it by the Zamfara State government for the construction of township roads in Gummi, Bukkuyun, Anka and Nassarawa towns of the state; and also for the construction of 168 solar- powered boreholes in the 14 local government areas of the state, valued at N50 billion between 2012 and 2019.

Worried by the consistency and professionalism in the investigation of the case, the two defendants reached out to Lawal on behalf of the company, with an offer of N100 million bribe so that the matter would be swept under the rug. They were arrested and later arraigned on May 15 on a two- count charge of conspiracy and offering bribe to a public servant to the tune of N100 million.

Trial was to commence yesterday with the prosecution counsel, S. H. Sa'ad, presenting three witnesses in court. The new defence counsel, Abdullahi Omoloye, prayed the court for a two- week adjournment to enable him to prepare adequately for the trial.

Justice Sifawa adjourned the matter till June 29 and 30, and July 1 and 2, for commencement of trial.