TAFIDI
V.
FRN
·
KUMAI BAYANG AKA'AHS, JSC (Delivering the leading Judgment): Alhaji Abdullahi Aminu Tafida who is the appellant in this appeal was the 4th accused arraigned with others on a 163 count information before the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja Division on 8/8/2008 The charge was amended on 24/10/2008 and the counts reduced to 68 to which the appellant and the others pleaded not guilty. They were charged with offences that bordered on inflation of Contact Prices, Conspiracy to disobey lawful orders, disobedience to lawful orders and abuse of office and authority. The Prosecution called ten witnesses and tendered some exhibits while the Defence relied on the evidence of Chief Olabode George who was the 1st accused. It is necessary to state that the 1st accused was the Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Ports Authority while the others were members of that Board from 2001 to 2003 when it was dissolved.
After the conclusion of evidence and the adoption of written addresses of counsel, the tria…