By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

ABUJA— The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, yesterday, re-arraigned former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor with two others, before an Abuja high court , over a 17-count amended criminal charge, bothering on an alleged N2.3billion fraud.

Ogbulafor alongside, two others, Mr. Emeka Ebilah and Mr Jude Nwokoro, were docked yesterday, after the trial high court granted the ICPC leave to expunge the name of one of the accused persons, Mr Henry Ikoh, formerly listed in the charge sheet as the 3rd accused person, from the matter.

Though counsel to the ICPC, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, failed to adduce reasons why the anti-graft agency suddenly decided to drop the charges against the 3rd accused person, indications however emerged yesterday that he may likely appear in the course of the trial, to testify against Ogbulafor as a prosecution witness.

This was sequel to a declaration by his counsel, Mr Goddy Uche, after yesterday’s proceeding that his client, Mr Ikoh, has resolved to help the state to prosecute the case to its logical conclusion.

Consequent upon the amendments in the charge sheet, as well as a fresh count charge added to the previous 16-count earlier filed before the court by the ICPC, Ogbulafor and his alleged accomplices, yesterday, took turns to enter a fresh plea of not guilty to a 1-count amended charge, carefully read to them by the court clerk yesterday.

Shortly after their plea were taken yesterday, the defence team, led by Mr J.K Gadzama, SAN, and Mr Awa Kalu, SAN, pleaded with the trial Judge, Justice Ishaq Bello, to allow the three accused persons to enjoy the same bail conditions earlier granted them by the court, while insisting that they would be available to face trial.

A request that was granted by the high court, following a no objection response by the prosecution.
According to the prosecution counsel, Chief Awomolo, “ My lord, we have no fact to contradict their applications for bail extension, but we urge your lordship to exercise your discretion judiciously.”

It would be recalled that the accused persons were on May 10, 2010, admitted to bail of N5million with two sureties in like sum.