EFCC Re-Arraigns Ex-PDP Chairman Ali’s Son Over Alleged N2.2bn Oil Subsidy Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday re-arraigned Mamman Nasir Ali, the son of the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmadu Ali, and a Sierra Leonean, Christian Taylor, before the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, for their alleged involvement in a N2.2 billion oil subsidy fraud.
Ali, Taylor, and the oil firm Nasaman Oil Services Limited, were re-arraigned on an amended 57-count charge following new developments in the case. They were originally charged in 2012 with conspiracy to obtain money by false pretenses, obtaining money by false pretenses, forgery, and the use of false documents.
The EFCC claims that the defendants violated the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006 and the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011. Justice Mojisola Dada had previously set Wednesday for the adoption of final written addresses in the case, but the EFCC prosecutor, Seiduh Atteh, informed the court about the new charges and requested the defendants enter a fresh plea.
The defence counsel, Obafemi Kolade (SAN), did not object to the request. The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The amended charges allege that Ali, Taylor, Nasaman Oil Services Limited, Oluwaseun Ogunbambo (who remains at large), and Olabisi Abdul Afeez (also at large), fraudulently obtained funds from the Federal Government around September 9, 2011. They are accused of forging a document titled “GASOLINE ANALYSIS,” allegedly issued by Saybolt Concremat aboard the vessel MT Overseas Limar on that date.
Following the re-arraignment, the defence lawyer requested additional time to amend his written address in response to the new charges. Justice Dada adjourned the matter to April 15 for the adoption of final written addresses.
