Obstruction of justice: EFCC stalls trial of Rickey Tarfa

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Friday, stalled the trial for obstruction of justice of Mr Rickey Tarfa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Tarfa is being tried on a two-count charge of obstruction of justice and perverting the course of justice by the EFCC at an Ikeja High Court.
Tarfa’s trial was stalled due to the late filing by the EFCC, of its response to a no case submission put forward by the defence.
During proceedings,Mr. Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), defence counsel to Tarfa, registered his displeasure.
He said: “We followed up with our motion dated December 12, 2017, praying your Lordship to terminate the proceedings on the ground that there was no case to answer.
“The prosecution was served with the process, it was only this morning, we received the response of the prosecution to the application, almost two months after.
“I have not had the time to peruse the document filed and in the circumstance, we need time to reply on point of law.
“I urge you to take note that it is the prosecution that is dragging its feet,” he said.
Responding, Mr Gbolahan Latona, the EFCC prosecutor gave a profuse apology for the delay.
“My Lord, it was not deliberate.  We are two counsel handling this case, Mr. Ihenacho and I. I was not aware that response had not been given.
“In fact, I was before Hon. Justice Kudirat Jose at the High Court Igbosere for another case on Tuesday when I was going through the files and I discovered a response has not been filed.
“It was between Tuesday and now that I had the time to respond to the application,” he said.
EFCC alleges that Tarfa wilfully obstructed two of its officers, Moses Awolusi and Sanusi Mohammed, from making an arrest of his clients within the premises of the Igbosere High Court.
Tarfa’s clients, Gnanhoue Sourou and Nazaire Odeste, were suspected by the EFFC of committing some financial crimes.
Justice Aishat Opesanwo adjourned the case until March 5 for further hearing.