The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raised a demand on Wednesday, urging the production of the death certificate of the late Grace Taiga, former Director of Legal at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
Daniel Alumun, Taiga’s lawyer, had informed the Federal Capital Territory High Court on November 4, 2023, about his client’s demise.
Grace Taiga faced trial before Justice Olukayode Adeniyi on bribery-related charges concerning the Gas Supply Processing Agreement between Process and Industrial Development and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Initially arraigned on September 20, 2019, Taiga faced increasing charges, with the EFCC amending the charge to 11 counts on October 3, 2020, and further amending it to 13 counts on January 10, 2021.
The anti-graft agency accused Taiga of receiving bribes through her offshore bank account concerning the controversial GPSA.
Furthermore, it alleged violations of various laws, including agreeing without prior approval by the Federal Executive Council and a certificate of no objection from the Bureau of Public Enterprise.
Despite pleading not guilty, Taiga’s trial progressed, with the prosecution presenting eight witnesses and closing its case on February 27, 2023. The court directed Taiga to open her defence on the next adjourned date.
On November 4, 2023, Alumun informed the court of Taiga’s passing on August 1, 2023, and requested the dismissal of the case. The court, however, adjourned the matter to Wednesday.
In the recent court session, Mohammed Hussain, EFCC counsel, insisted on the presentation of Taiga’s death certificate. Taiga’s counsel requested additional time, stating that the death certificate was unavailable.
Hussain emphasized the legal necessity of producing the certificate, prompting Adeniyi to adjourn the case until March 6, 2024, for a further report on the death certificate.
The outcome of this development will significantly impact the trajectory of the trial.
