The trial of former Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, on N4 billion corruption charges has been adjourned indefinitely by the Federal Excessive Court in Abuja.
The trial was delay sine die on Tuesday by Justice Mohammed Garba Umar on the occasion of the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC), which, on behalf of the federal authorities, filed the prison charges towards the previous governor.
Obiano was not in court throughout Tuesday’s proceedings, and no motive was given for his whereabouts.
Nonetheless, when the matter was referred to as, EFCC counsel Simon Obila, who held the transient of Sylvanus Tahir SAN, knowledgeable Justice Umar that the case was being talked about earlier than the court for the primary time.
Obila said that the trial commenced about two years in the past earlier than Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the identical court and that the EFCC had referred to as 9 witnesses to determine the corruption charges towards the defendant.
He submitted that the anti-corruption company would like to attend for the resumption of Justice Ekwo to proceed the trial relatively than beginning it afresh earlier than the brand new decide.
Obila argued that the EFCC would encounter a collection of difficulties if the trial had been to start afresh, including {that a} letter requesting an indefinite adjournment had been written to the Chief Choose of the Court, Justice John Tsoho.
He urged the court to grant the request and delay the trial indefinitely.
In the meantime, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN, who represented Obiano through the proceedings, didn’t object to the indefinite adjournment, acknowledging that the EFCC would face setbacks if the trial commenced afresh.
Justice Umar subsequently adjourned the trial indefinitely.
