The absence of the third
defendant, Yusuf Danjuma, on Wednesday stalled the trial of two former
ministers charged with N4.6 billion money laundering at a Federal High Court,
Lagos.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
reports that Danjuma, who is charged alongside with the ministers, is said to
be hospitalised in Kaduna.
Danjuma, a former Chairman of the
Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the two ex-ministers, Femi
Fani-Kayode (Aviation) and Nenadi Usman (Finance) and a company, Jointrust
Dimentions Nigeria Ltd, are facing a 17-count charge bordering on money laundering.
All the defendants, who are being
prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had pleaded
not guilty.
The case which was scheduled for
continuation of cross-examination of a prosecution witness could not go on
because of the absence of the third accused.
When the case was called on
Wednesday, Mr Nnemeka Omewa, announced appearance for the EFCC, while Messrs
Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), Norrisson Quakers (SAN) and K.C Nwofo, appeared for
the first, second and third accused respectively.
The third defence counsel
informed the court of the absence of the third accused.
Nwofo told the court that he
received a call in the early hours of yesterday (Tuesday) from the wife of the
third accused, who informed him that the accused slumped in the bathroom while
having a shower.
He said the wife had called out
neighbours who joined in taking the accused to the hospital.
According to defence counsel, the
incident occurred in Jere in Kaduna.
Nwofo told the court that since
he had yet to get a copy of the hospital diagnosis, he could not comment on the
exact health condition of the accused.
He promised to get details of the
diagnosis from the hospital and make same available to the court.
Other defence counsel acceded to
the request for adjournment by the third defence counsel.
In his reaction, the prosecutor,
(Omewa), confirmed to the court, the position as stated by defence counsel.
He said the case was slated for
continuation of cross-examination, adding that since the request for
adjournment was on health grounds, especially as put forward by the counsel, he
would not push further.
Omewa also agreed with the
request for adjournment.
In his remarks, Justice Rilwan
Aikawa, noted that generally all the defendants had always been present in
court for trial, adding that he will treat the excuse as exceptional.
Following agreement of all
counsel in the case, the court adjourned the case until June 11 and June 12 for
continuation of trial, while he vacated the prior dates of May 3 and May 4.
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