Babatunji Wusu –
During the hearings on Wednesday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) insisted on acquiring the death certificate of Grace Taiga, the former Director of Legal at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
On November 4, 2023, Grace Taiga’s attorney, Daniel Alumun, notified the Federal Capital Territory High Court of his client’s passing.
Grace Taiga was on trial for bribery in relation to the controversial Gas Supply Processing Agreement between Process and Industrial Development and the Federal Government of Nigeria. Judge Olukayode Adeniyi was presiding over the trial.
When Taiga was first arraigned on September 20, 2019, she was charged with eight counts under the case number FCT/HC/CR/504/19. Following this, the EFCC increased the charges to 11 on October 3, 2020, and then again on January 10, 2021, to a total of 13 charges.
Grace Taiga was accused of taking a bribe through her offshore bank account in connection with the contentious signing of the Gas Supply Processing Agreement (GPSA) in the 13-count amended indictment issued by the anti-graft agency.
By signing the Gas Supply Processing Agreement without first getting the Federal Executive Council’s clearance and the Bureau of Public Enterprise’s certificate of no objection to the contract, Grace Taiga was accused by the EFCC of breaking many laws.
Taiga entered a not guilty plea to the accusations made against her notwithstanding the charges. On February 27, 2023, the prosecution wrapped up its case after the defendant entered a plea. Eight witnesses testified against the defendant.
The defendant was then directed by the court to make her defense known for the next adjourned date.
But Taiga’s attorney, Alumun, told the court during the November 4, 2023, hearing that the defendant had died on August 1, 2023, in an Abuja hospital. He begged the judge to throw out the lawsuit.
The EFCC’s attorney, Mohammed Hussain, expressed displeasure with the claim and insisted on Taiga’s death certificate being produced in front of the court, thus the court postponed the matter till Wednesday.
Hussain rose again and said, “My lord, the certificate must be brought to the court as stipulated by the law before any decision can be taken. ”
Justice Adeniyi, in response to the developments, adjourned the proceedings until March 6, awaiting additional information regarding the death certificate.
