Ex-pensions director slumps in court

From Ezigbo Stella, Abuja

The trial of a former deputy director at the Police Pension Office, John Yusufu, almost ended on a tragic note yesterday, as he slumped heavily in the dock forcing proceedings to be adjourned abruptly to April 22. Drama started when prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) urged the court to refuse his (Yusufu) bail application as canvassed by his lawyer, Theodore Mayaki. Mayaki had prayed the court to grant his client bail pending the hearing and determination of the charge against him.

But in opposition, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), urged the court to deny the application and allow Yusufu remain in custody pending trial. It was in the heat of this argument that Yusufu, who could no longer stand the heat of the trial collapsed in the dock. A bewildered Justice Adamu Bello, hearing the case, hurriedly adjourned proceedings with an order that he should be given prompt medical attention.

He was rushed out of the courtroom in company of security personnel and prison officials for medical attention. In a counter affidavit opposing the application, Jacobs said Yusufu had been convicted previously for criminal breach of trust and it would be in his interest to be kept in custody to prevent the possibility of him being mobbed by aggrieved members of the public.

In addition, he said Yusufu would interfere with investigation and was most likely to jump bail considering that he would no longer be in the employment of the Federal Ministry of Works after the conclusion of the procedure to relieve him of his appointment.

The accused is alleged to have knowingly failed to make full disclosure of his assets and liability in the declaration of assets form, which he filled last February. Besides, he is said to have failed to declare his interest in a company known as SY-A Global Services Limited, which is solely owned by him and members of his immediate family.

The offense is punishable under section 27(3) of the EFCC Act (2004). Yusufu is equally alleged to have failed to declare his interest in a N250 million fixed deposit account in the name of the said company and maintained by Zenith Bank Plc.

The company is also alleged to have a N10 million fixed deposit account it maintained at First Bank of Nigeria Plc. The anti graft agency similarly accused Yusufu of fixing another N29 million through one Danjuma Mele , who is expected to testify as witness in the trial.The money was allegedly fixed on Yusufu’s instructions through Mele’s company, Jidag Technical Services Ltd, in Diamond Bank Plc.Yusufu pleaded not guilty to all four counts. Meanwhile, the court has slated March 11 to rule on the bail application.