Asajie is charged alongside her company, Ritzadel Nig. Ltd. on three counts, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charges border on stealing, contrary to Section 285 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, and issuance of dishonoured cheques, contrary to Section 1(1)(b) of the Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act of 2004.
The EFCC stated: “Rita Asajie and Ritzadel Nigeria Limited, on or about the 6th day of March 2012 at Lagos, within the Lagos Judicial Division, did dishonestly convert the sum of N15,000,000 (fifteen million Naira) property of Lawrex Energy Limited, for your own use.”
The second count is that Asajie and her company, on or about Sept. 13, 2012, in Lagos, issued a Fidelity bank cheque for five million Naira to be drawn from an account belonging to the company in refund of N15 million payment made by Lawrex Energy Ltd. to Asajie for supply of diesel to Lawrex which she allegedly did not supply.
The EFCC added that the cheque was dishonoured upon presentation due to insufficient funds in the account of Ritzadel Nig. Ltd.
On Wednesday, EFCC counsel, Mrs Orhieoghene Adewunmi, informed the court that prosecution closed its case since Jan.16, 2019.
Adewunmi noted that the defendants, however, filed a no-case submission, and ruling was delivered on April 9, 2019, with the court dismissing the submission and directing the defendants to open defence.
“However, my lord, since May 23, 2019, the defendant has seized to appear in court, and a bench warrant was issued on July 8, 2019.
“The defendant, who was also not in court at today’s proceeding, has since stopped being represented and has stopped being in court, my lord.
“I rely on Administration of Criminal Justice (Amended) Law of Lagos State, 202, and pray the court to convict the defendant in absentia because the law allows it after two adjournments,” she said.
Asajie pleaded not guilty when she was arraigned on May 18, 2015, after which the trial began.
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