The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told a Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja and presided over by Justice Peter Kekemeke to disregard the no-case submission by Herman Hembe, former chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market and his deputy, Chris Azubogu, insisting that the federal lawmakers have a case to answer in the $4,095 estacode scam.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Tuesday, April 30, 2013, EFCC counsel, Chile Okoroma, observed that the arguments canvassed by defence counsel in support of their applications are immaterial at this point, stressing that the fundamental issue remains that a prima facie case have been established against the defendants to warrant explanation from them before the court.
He said from available indications, the accused were deceptive which amounts to dishonesty and punishable under the relevant laws. He, therefore, urged the court to refuse the application.
Earlier, counsel to the accused persons, J.S Okutepa, and Onyenchi Ikpeazu while moving their separate motions for no case submission contended that estacode is money meant for a public servant who travels overseas. They said once the money is approved and the officer embarks on the journey, the money becomes his.
