Alex Enumah in Abuja
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), yesterday closed its case in the trial of the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Cyril Ndifon, after calling four witnesses.
Ndifon and his lawyer, Mr Sunny Anyannwu, are standing trial on an amended four-count charge bordering on alleged sexual harassment and attempt to perverse the cause of justice.
They pleaded not guilty and were admitted to bail in the sum of N250 million and N50 million respectively.
At yesterday’s proceedings, the ICPC counsel, Mr Osuobeni Akponimisingha, who had earlier said he had about seven witnesses against the professor, announced the closure of his case after a forensic analyst, Fungo Bwaigu, his fourth witness, was cross-examined by the defendant’s lawyer, Mr Joe Agi, SAN.
Recall that the prosecution had on Monday, obtained leave of court to display the forensic analysis and examination report from the phones of the defendants and a witness the court simply identified as TKJ.
The said exhibit contained screenshots of WhatsApp chats, nude videos, phone calls and text messages.
The court then adjourned to February 14, for the continuation of trial with the cross examination of the 4th witness.
Under cross-examination by the defendant’s counsel on Wednesday, the analyst said from the call log, he does not know what TKJ and the prof discussed.
He added that the analysis he carried out on the mobile phone showed clearly that the first communication between TKJ and the dean through the WhatsApp channel was on March 14, 2023 and the message was “Good evening sir”.
The witness also told the court that he did not analyse TKJ’s phone, as he was not given the phone by ICPC to analyse.
At the end of cross examination, the defence lawyer, informed the court that he intends to file a no-case submission, implying that his client had no case to answer, he then asked for seven days to file the motion.
The ICPC lawyer assured the court that immediately the defence serves him with the no-case submission, he will also require seven days to reply.
The trial Judge, Justice James Omotosho however adjourned the matter to February 27 for the adoption of written addresses for no-case submission.
On the application that the Nigerian Correctional Service should take the second defendant to the hospital for adequate treatment and return him to custody pending the perfection of his N50m bail, the court reaffirmed the order, after the defendant told the court that the order hasn’t been adhered to.
