Alleged N27 Billion Fraud: Absence of former permanent secretary stalls ex-Taraba governor’s trial
The trial of a former governor of Taraba , Darius Ishaku was on Wednesday stalled in aHigh Court, Abuja Division, due to the absence of the state’s former permanent secretary, Bureau of Local Government and Chieftncy Affairs, Bello Yero.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Messrs Ishaku and Yero with criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds to the tune of N27billion.
They both pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them.
At the resumed hearing in the case, counsel for Mr Yero, Adeola Adedipe SAN, apologised to the court for his client’s absence and accepted responsibility for it.
He said that since the commencement of the case, his client had always been present in court for his trial.
According to the senior lawyer, he thought the court had vacated today’s date, which was why he could not mobilise Mr Yero to be in court.
He added that when he learnt that the matter was to hold today he immediately got in touch with his client, who is in Adamawa State, directing him to make it to Abuja with the first available flight today.
While asking for a stand down of the matter till 1pm, Mr Adedipe informed the court that Mr Yero was at the airport in Yola to fly to Abuja.
Responding to the application, counsel for Mr Ishaku, Chris Umar SAN, told the court that ordinarily he would not oppose the application for stand down .
He said but for the fact that the former governor was not feeling well and was scheduled to see his doctor after the court proceedings.
Responding, the prosecution counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe told the court that the prosecution was seriously constrained to oppose the application for stand down.
He added that they witnesses are in court for continuation .
He confirmed Mr Adedipe’s submission that Mr Yero has always been attending court sittings to face his trial.
He urged the court to acceed to the prayer of the counsel for the second defendant.
While ruling on the application, Justice Sylvanus Oriji, noted that from the court records, Mr Yero has always been in court for proceedings in the case.
He further held that giving the uncertainties in the aviation sector, the court would rather adjourn the case instead of standing it down as requested by the second defendant’s counsel.
Justice Oriji subsequently adjourned until February 9 for continuation of evidence of the second prosecution witness.
(NAN)
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