NewsCourt Orders ‘Mama Boko Haram’ To Enter Oral Defence In N40m Fraud...

Court Orders ‘Mama Boko Haram’ To Enter Oral Defence In N40m Fraud Case

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BEVERLY HILLS, March 04, (THEWILL) – Justice Umaru Fadawu of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri, has ordered Aisha Alkali Wakil alias “Mama Boko Haram” to testify orally in her defence rather than through writing.

The EFCC had closed its case against Wakil and her co-defendants on February 11, 2021, while the case was adjourned to March 1, 2021 for the defendants to open their defence.

However, rather than open defence on March 1, 2021, Wakil filed an application seeking the leave of the Court to enter her defence in writing, citing inability to speak due to ill health.

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The prosecuting counsel, Fatsuma Mohammed, had objected and prayed the court to turn down the application on the grounds that, the First Defendant placed no material fact before the court to show that she could not speak and that she pleaded “not guilty” orally, when she was arraigned on March 5, 2020.

Justice Fadawu, subsequently adjourned the case to March 4, 2021 for ruling on the application.

At the resumed hearing today, Justice Fadawu ruled that Wakil must testify orally.

“I entirely agree with the submission of the Prosecution that Aisha Alkali Wakil pleaded ‘not guilty’ when she was arraigned before this court. She spoke directly to the court.

“Therefore, the application is hereby refused and the First Defendant is to testify on her behalf orally,” the court held.

The court has however adjourned sitting to March 22, 2021 for the Defence to open its case.

The defendants are also to remain in Maiduguri Medium Correctional Centre.

The First Defendant, Wakil who is the Chief Executive Officer of Complete Care and Aid Foundation (NGO), alongside Prince Lawal Shoyade and Tahiru Saidu Daura, Programme Manager and Country Director respectively, are facing trial for alleged fraud to the tune of N40,000,000.

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