Former -NNPC GMD , Omokore to be arraigned July 4

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will on July 4 arraign before a Federal High Court, Abuja, Mr. Jide Omokore, an ally of a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The EFCC has already filed four counts of money laundering against a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Andrew Yakubu; ex-Director of the NNPC, Abiye Memnere; ex-Managing Director, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited, Victor Briggs; and oil mogul David Mbanefo.

Other two firms charged along with them are Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited.

The accused were scheduled to appear before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.

The lead prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), was present in court but all the accused were absent.

But Jacobs and some lawyers who had already been briefed by the accused were present in court.

The reason for the accused persons’ absence from court on Monday could not be ascertained as the trial was not mentioned in the open court.

It was learnt that parties agreed with the judge to fix the arraignment for July 4 during the meeting in her chambers.