Omokore: FG’s witness varies evidence upon cross examination

Idris Agiri, third prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Jide Omokore, and fi ve others, has varied earlier evidence he gave on July 4, when he was led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacob. Agiri, an accountant with the National Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), under cross examination by counsel for the 4th defendant, John Aga, had varied an earlier statement that the cash call was not paid in arrears. At a resumed trial, Agiri testifi ed that he was in the know of joint agreement, insisting that what is known as arrears in agreement is the one not paid when there is a grey area, the money is withheld until, the grey area is resolved. Agiri said it could not be called debt in the real sense of it.

Upon further cross examination, he later admitted the cash call was not in arrears, that the parties, operators and non operators were always carried along in the payments. On July 4, Agiri had under cross examination by counsel to the 1st to 3rd defendants, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, testifi ed that cash call was always paid as at when due. It will be recall that the defendants were alleged to have diverted about $1.6bn said to be proceeds of petroleum products belonging to the Federal Government.

However, under reexamination by the prosecuting counsel, Jacobs, Agiri said what he meant was that until December 31, 2015, there was accumulated outstanding not paid but from 2016 till date every cash call has been paid. “Th e arrears until December 31, 2015 had been agreed with the operators and non operators and negotiated to be paid in the next fi ve years. But from 2016 what would have as outstanding has been paid.” But when Adegbonmire wanted to cross examine the witness, saying the witness had raised a new issue, the trial Judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba overruled him, adding that there was no new issue. Th e court adjourned till October 5 for continuation of trial

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