Former Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, on Wednesday, refused to
appear before Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo Giwa of the Federal High
Court Abuja, to give details of his role in the approval of N2.5bn to
Pinnacle Communications Ltd, for the purpose of the Federal Government
Digital Switch over (DSO) project.
Mohammed who gave approval of the N2.5 bn was among the persons listed
by the prosecution counsel, Henry Emore in ICPC’s list as additional
witnesses to testify.
The trial it would be recall was the continuation of the one involving
Director General of National Broadcasting Commission, Ishaq Kawu
Modibbo, Pinnacle Communications Ltd and two others.
However, after calling two witnesses, the prosecution counsel informed
the court that he was to call the former Information Minister but for
his absence.
Umore told the court that Lai Mohammed had travelled out of the
country but is being expected back into the country on or before July
31.
Speaking further Emore told the court that Mohammed had finally made
statement before ICPC, as a former Minister.
The prosecution also informed the court that the other witness he
wished to call, was still in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Alex Izinyon SAN, counsel to Onifade Oladipupo (2nd
defendant) and Sir Lucky Omoluwa (3rd defendant) told the court that
he had already filed an application to oppose the list of additional
witness filed by the prosecution counsel.
Izinyon said the defence team had already joined issues with the
prosecution on the failure of ICPC to call the Information Minister
who approved the payment of N2.5bn to Pinnacle as well as join him as
a defendant in the case.
A witness called by the ICPC told the court that the then Information
Minister had refused to make statement to the ICPC, claiming that he
needed to get clearance from the Secretary to the Government of the
Federation.
But upon cross examination by Izinyon, a prosecution witnesss Olugbemi
Abraham, told the court that “During investigation, we could not
interview the then minister of Information because he said he needed
clearance from the Secretary to Government of the Federation”.
Abraham however revealed that they later took statement from Lai
Mohammed during the pendency of this case, admitting that “Really, we
did not bother to get in touch with the SGF to enable him allow the
Information Minister to make statement”.
Abraham admitted that, NBC, based on the provision of the White Paper
that government should provide condition for a level playing field for
signal distributors, is the one that would determine the level playing
field.
Under further cross examination by Amah Etuwewe, counsel to the 4th
defendant (Pinnacle Communications), the witness said upon
investigation, they did not value the facility put in place by
Pinnacle at the Abuja DSO site.
Furthermore, the witness admitted that the N2. 5bn was released under
the supervision of the Information Minister, adding that “To the best
of my knowledge, the Presidency that released the N10bn to the NBC for
the purpose of DSO has not complained of how the fund was used, and I
am not aware if the Minister had withdrawn his approval.
Ruling on a motion by the 2nd and 3rd defendant seeking the release of
their international passports to enable them travel abroad for
official function has been adjourned till July 1st by Justice
Ogunbanjo Giwa.
