Posted by By Olumide Bajulaiye on
Four suspects facing trial for allegedly defrauding a German of N200 million rejoiced on Monday at an Ikeja High Court when they heard that the star witness had been struck by brain cancer and could die within a fortnight.
Four suspects facing trial for allegedly defrauding a German of N200 million rejoiced on Monday at an Ikeja High Court when they heard that the star witness had been struck by brain cancer and could die within a fortnight.
The star witness, Mr. Hans-Peter Klose who is also the victim of the fraud was scheduled to arrive Lagos on Monday from Germany to continue the testimony he had earlier begun.
The German was alleged to have been defrauded by four Nigerian suspected fraudsters, Anthony Imonikosaye, Tony Umanah, Tom Hendrix Okoji and Omochiere Aisagbonihim in a fraudulent business transaction sometime in 1997.
Since the commencement of the trial, the German had appeared once to give evidence.
When the matter was called up, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mr. Garuba Abdullahi informed the court that Mr. Klose sent a letter to him that he would not be able to give further evidence in the mater as his doctor recently informed him that he had been struck by brain cancer and has only two weeks to live.
The letter, which was written in German, further hinted that efforts were being made to fly Mr. Klose to a hospital in the United States to explore other means of prolonging his life.
Responding to the development, the presiding judge, Justice Oyewole Olubunmi expressed regret over the sudden terminal illness of Mr. Klose and immediately ordered for an adjournment to enable the EFCC produce another witness.
The four accused persons who had earlier been refused bail by Justice Oyewole however did not share same sentiment with the judge as they were seen smiling over the development.
The case has been adjourned till 29 October, 2007 for further hearing.