Ex-PDP Chairman’s Son, Others Re-Arraigned Over ‘N2.2b Subsidy Fraud’

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arraigned Mamman Nasir Ali, son of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Ahmadu Ali, for allegedly being involved in a N2.2 billion oil subsidy fraud.

Ali alongside Christian Taylor and their oil company, Nasaman Oil Services Limited  were brought before before Justice Mojisola Dada of a Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja.

The defendants were re-arraigned on an amended 57-count charge.

Initially, the defendants had been arraigned on a 49-count charge, which included conspiracy to obtain money by false pretences, obtaining money by false pretences, forgery, and the use of false documents—offences that contravene the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

During the schedule date for the adoption of final written addresses, EFCC prosecutor Seiduh Atteh informed the court of the amended charges and requested that the defendants take a fresh plea.

With no objections from the defence counsel, Obafemi Kolade (SAN), the court granted the request, and the defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Following their re-arraignment, Kolade requested for more time for the defence to amend its written address in response to the new charges.

Justice Dada directed the prosecution to file a response before the next hearing.

The case was adjourned to April 15, for the adoption of final written addresses.