The failure of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to produce its first witness on Tuesday stalled the trial of former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, before a Federal High Court, Abuja.
Fani-Kayode is currently standing trial on a five-count of alleged money laundering.
He was accused of collecting N26m from the office of the former National Security Adviser, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, and using same for media campaigns.
It would be recalled that at the last sitting on February 6, Fani-Kayode’s counsel, Mr Ahmed Raji (SAN), sought for an adjournment to enable him go through the files as he was new in the case.
He said, “My lord, I am just coming into the case, I will need time to go through the file, so I will like to crave the indulgence of the court to enable me familiarise myself with the case.”
However, at the resumed hearing, counsel to EFCC, Johnson Ojogbane, informed the court that the witness to testify today was unavoidably absent.
Ojogbane said: “I was informed that the witness was around, but I do not know why he was absent in court.
“This is the first time we are asking for an adjournment, and I am pleading with the court to grant our request,’’ he said.
The application for the adjournment was not opposed by the defence counsel.
Justice John Tsoho adjourned the case till April 25 for the commencement of trial.
PUNCH
