The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has dropped two out of the nine charges levied against the former Director of Legal, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Grace Taiga, saying that it also has a new charge to be added to those hanging on the accused.
Addressing Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court Abuja yesterday, the prosecuting counsel, Abba Muhammed informed the court that the prosecution have a new charge which has been served on the defendant “with additional proof of evidence adding, “The only difference is that we are dropping two counts, eight and nine. It is a new charge to replace the old one. It is a reduction from nine counts to seven counts”.
The amended charge has the defendant’s daughter, Enameg Vera Moses Taiga, listed as an accused, who allegedly received the sum of $ 9969.5, paid by Kristholm Limited, a company controlled by the owners and promoters of Process & Industrial Development Limited, through her HSBC bank account on behalf of the 1st defendant.
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to her.
However, defence counsel, Ola Olanipekun confirmed that they were served the second additional proof of evidence but prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him study the proof and respond.
Following the inability of the defendant to perfect her bail condition, the judge ordered that she should be remand in the custody of the Correctional Service pending the perfection of the bail condition and adjourned the matter till February 3, 2022 for continuation of hearing.
