A Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has scheduled a ruling for December 9 on the admissibility of electronic evidence presented by businessman Uche Noah Onyebuchi, who is facing allegations of theft amounting to N18.7 million.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed charges against Onyebuchi under Section 285 (9)(b) and (c) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
He pleaded not guilty, and the EFCC presented three witnesses to support its case.
According to the charge, Uche Noah Onyebuchi allegedly dishonestly converted the sum of N18,700,000 belonging to Dickson Nonso Onuchukwu for his own use in January 2017.
In his defence, Onyebuchi, represented by his counsel N. E. Osigegwu, explained to the court that the disputed sum was actually an investment made by the complainant to purchase 45 per cent of shares in his company.
Osigegwu then inquired whether there were records to substantiate the investment analysis, to which Onyebuchi replied that there was email correspondence between him and the complainant.
Osigegwu sought to submit this correspondence as evidence; however, prosecuting counsel Fanen Anum objected, arguing that according to Section 84 of the Evidence Act, a certificate of identification must be attached for such evidence to be admissible.
Justice Olubukola Okunnuga adjourned the case to allow the court to consider the various authorities cited by both counsels.
