14th May, 2020
The trial of the former secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has been adjourned till 10 June.
The trial before Justice Jude Okeke of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, was to continue today.
But it was postponed because of the absence of the prosecution witness.
The witness could not travel to Abuja due to the ban on inter-state travels, as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic.
“We have a challenge, securing the attendance of the witness who is outside the court’s jurisdiction,” prosecution counsel, Offem Uket told the court.
He said the witness only got a two day notice on the case.
Uket apologised to the court for the stalled proceedings and asked for an adjournment to enable him provide the witness in court.
Defence counsel, Chief Akin Olujimi SAN did not object to the prosecution’s application for adjournment.
Justice Jude Okeke granted the application and adjourned the matter till June 10 and 15, 2020 for further hearing.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC is prosecuting Lawal along with his younger brother, Hamidu David Lawal.
Others docked are: Suleiman Abubakar, Apeh John Monday and two companies, Rholavision Engineering Ltd and Josmon Technologies Ltd.
They were slammed with a 10-count amended charge, bordering on fraud, diversion of funds and criminal conspiracy to the tune of N1.1 billion.