The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned Mamman Nasir Ali and Christian Taylor for an alleged N2.2 billion oil subsidy fraud before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
The re-arraignment of the two men was contained in a statement posted on the official X handle of the EFCC on Thursday.
The duo were re-arraigned alongside Nasaman Oil Services Limited on an amended 57-count charge, following new findings in the case.
The defendants had initially been arraigned on a 49-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery and the use of false documents.
At the scheduled trial for the adoption of final written addresses on Wednesday, the prosecution counsel, Seiduh Atteh, informed the court of the amended charges and requested that the defendants take a fresh plea.
There was no objection from the defence counsel, Obafemi Kolade (SAN). Consequently, the court granted the request.
The defendants, thereafter, pleaded not guilty to the amended charges preferred against them.
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In the amended charge, the defendants, as well as Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Olabisi Abdul Afeez, who are both at large, were accused of allegedly fraudulently obtaining money from the federal government on or about September 9, 2011.
The defendants were also alleged to have forged a document titled: “Gasoline Analysis” on board MT Overseas Limar, purportedly issued by Saybolt Concremat on the said date.
Following the re-arraignment, the defence counsel requested time to amend his written address in response to the new charges.
Justice Dada directed the prosecution to file a response before the next hearing, and adjourned till April 15, 2025, for the adoption of final written addresses.
