The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday appeal to the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere to dismiss an application filed by a Lagos lawyer, Rickey Tarfa (SAN), challenging the jurisdiction of the court to try him over allegation of obstructing the course of justice.
Tarfa was arraigned before Justice Aishat Opesanwo on a 2-count charge of unlawful obstruction of an EFCC investigation and perversion of the course of justice.
Also, The commission had alleged that Tarfa on February 5, 2016, hid two suspects, Nazaire Sorou Gnanhoue and Modeste Finagnon, both Beninoise in his car, thereby shielding them from being arrested.
The anti-agency caught two suspects were reported to have fraudulently converted some sophisticated manufacturing equipment belonging to Rana Prestige Nigeria Limited to personal use.
The foreigners are also being investigated by the commission for alleged multi-milion naira tax evasion.
But after his arraignment Tarfa had filed an application, seeking to quash the charge against him.
He argued that the charge did not contain economic and financial crimes and it is therefore not within the power of the EFCC to prosecute.
The lawyer is also challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit.
In a counter-affidavit, the EFCC argued that reports submitted by its officers indicated that the lawyer impeded them from effecting the arrest of the two Beninoise.
The commission claimed that the suspects were arrested within the court’s premises after the vehicle in which they were hiding ran out of fuel.
The EFCC added further that contrary to Tarfa’s claims, his clients were arrested at the car park within the court’s premises and not inside the court room.
Consequently, the presiding judge, Justice Aishat Opesanwo adjourned the matter till March 21, for further hearing of the application.
