Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court Lagos has adjourned further hearing in the trial former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and two others till June 27.
The court had earlier fixed today for hearing of the no-case submission filed by the defendants against the charge pressed instituted against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
But at the resumed hearing of the matter today, the prosecution lawyers led by Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) sought for an adjournment to enable him respond to fresh applications filed by the defendants.
Others defendants standing trial alongside Kalu are Udeh Jones Udeogu and Slok Nigeria Limited, they all pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them by EFCC.
Jacobs informed the court that the defendants had served him series of applications bordering on their opposition to the amendment of the charge against them.
The prosecution had on May 2, amended the charge against the defendants after closing its case.
Before the close of the prosecution’s case, EFCC called 18 witnesses and tendered several documentary exhibit, mainly financial instruments like cheques bank drafts and bank statements of account.
However, after closing of the prosecution’s case, Kalu and others filed a no -case submission, declaring that they have no case to answer on the charge preferred against them by EFCC.
Seeking for adjournment of the case today, Jacobs said, “I have been serve with series of applications filed by the three defendants, I was served on Tuesday with application of the first defendant, dated June 5 and filed on June 7, second defendant also served me this morning (Wednesday ), the written address opposing the amendment of the charge but I am yet to respond, I am praying the court for a very short adjournment in order to respond, I will be grateful if the court can give us a date after public holiday”.
All the defendants counsel did not opposed the prosecution’s application and the court consequently granted it prayer.
Justice Idris said, “Considering the application of the prosecution, I hereby adjourned this trial till June 27 for hearing of all applications.
Abelnewsng
