Judicial symbol
A former director, legal services, ministry of petroleum resources Grace Taiga has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 8-count before an FCT High Court, Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Taiga during her trial on Friday was escorted into the courtroom limping.
The case was initially filed against her and Mr Muhammad Kuchazi, the commercial director of P&ID British Virgin Island.
The presiding judge is justice Olukayode Adeniyi.
However, the prosecutor has informed the court that the charges have been amended and it is now only against Ms Taiga.
Her counsel, during the trial, applied for her to be allowed to sit as she is suffering from several ailments including Diabetes, hypertension and inability to pass urine resulting in her being bloated.
When the charges were read to her, she pleaded not guilty.
In count one and two Ms Taiga is alleged to as the director legal services signed a contract with P&Id alongside the former minister of Petroleum resources, late Lukeman Rukwan signed a contract without a cash backing. She pleaded not guilty.
She also pleaded not guilty to count three for signing a contract with a company that is not qualified to do business with Nigeria.
She also pleaded not guilty to count 5 for allegedly collecting a bribe of $1,000 through an offsite domiciliary account operated by her on a count of favour she showed P&ID British Virgin Islands.
She also pleaded not guilty to corruptly receiving $10,000 from industrial consultants on a count of favour she showed to P&ID which lead to the MOU signed with the company.
When the defense counsel tried to ask for bail, the prosecutor said he will be opposing bail.
However, her counsel said since the EFCC has refused bail they should accord her all necessary cooperation to access medical care as she had collapsed twice in the custody of the EFCC.
The court later adjourned bail hearing to September 25, while the defendant is to be remanded in the Suleja prison until then.
