Tiaga's counsel communicated the unavailability of the death certificate, requesting additional time.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is steadfast in its demand for the death certificate of the late Grace Tiaga, a former director of legal services at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, to be submitted in court.
Tiaga faced charges brought by the EFCC, alleging her involvement in receiving payments from Process & Industrial Development (P&ID) to manipulate the 20-year gas supply and processing agreement (GSPA) against Nigeria.
The EFCC claims that these illicit payments were made through her daughter and persisted even after her retirement.
The accusations extend to Tiaga's purported failure to adhere to due process while providing legal counsel on the GSPA.
Initially facing eight counts of fraud, she was remanded to Suleja prison in 2019, later granted bail, and the charges were expanded to 13 counts.
As the trial progressed, the prosecution presented eight witnesses, concluding its case on February 27, 2023. The court then called upon Tiaga to present her defence.
A significant turn occurred on November 4, 2023, when Daniel Alumun, Tiaga's counsel, informed the court of her demise on August 1, 2023. Alumun submitted a "Hospital Death Declaration" from Primus International Super Speciality Hospital, Karu New Extension, Abuja.
However, the EFCC counsel insisted on the presentation of an official death certificate in adherence to relevant laws.
Presiding Judge Olukayode Adeniyi directed the production of the certificate and adjourned the case until January 24.
During the session on Wednesday, Tiaga's counsel communicated the unavailability of the death certificate, requesting additional time to obtain the document.
The prosecuting counsel maintained that the certificate must be presented before any decision can be made. The court, consequently, granted an extension for the submission of the death certificate.
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