LAWAN, OTEDOLA BRIBERY SAGA: DSS presents video evidence in court

Video evidence that showed how a business mogul, Femi Otedola, presented bribe to Hon. Farouq Lawan was on Tuesday presented before an FCT high Court, Lugbe by the Department of State Security (DSS).

The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), had requested the presiding judge, Justice Angela Otaruku, to allow him play the video of how Lawan collected the said bribe from Otedola as evidence in the case and his prayer was granted.

The video which lasted almost three minutes, showed an exchange of parcel between the duo.

DSS Prosecutor, Mr. David Ojataha, Principal Officer-in-charge of Technical Operations DSS, was led in evidence by Awomolo.

After presenting the video, Awomolo said, “The video I just played are those of Mr. Femi Otedola and Hon. Farouq Lawan where there was an exchange of parcel at Otedola’s house in Aso drive, Abuja.”

Giving how he was able to record the video, the DSS prosecutor told the court that he has a background as an Electronic and Telecommunication Engineer and that recording videos for the DSS was part of his job, adding that he did his work meticulously during the course of investigation as a professional.

While he said he was not part of the arrest and detention of the defendant as that was not part of his duty, he explained that he only recorded the said video.

Ojataha, who further said that he did not also take any statement from the defendant during the course of investigation, disclosed that he was only instructed to cover the meeting between both parties based on complaints from Otedola.

Counsel to the defendant, Mike Ozekhome, cross examining the DSS prosecutor argued that the device used in playing the CD had no imprint of time and event in the video and that there was no evidence to prove that the defendant was there to receive bribe.

Ozekhome also argued that there was also nothing in the video that suggested that bribery was discussed as such words as “bribe” was not heard in the video.

The trial judge Otaruku, afterward adjourned the case till May 10 and asked the prosecution counsel to bring his other witnesses to court on that day.

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