Alleged Mambilla Fraud: Court Warns Defense Against Trial Delays
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja, on Thursday, November 14, 2024, berated Adeola Adedipe, SAN, counsel to former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, for employing delay tactics to stall the progress of the trial against the former minister.
Agunloye is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a seven-count charge bordering on official corruption and the fraudulent award of the Mambilla Power Project contract, valued at $6 billion (Six Billion US Dollars).
During Thursday’s proceedings, the judge observed that the defence counsel had been in the habit of advancing excuses based on Agunloye’s health and age, as well as filing multiple motions that hindered progress in the trial.
Addressing the defence counsel, Justice Onwuegbuzie stated:
“My principle of justice is that of no delay. The other time, you brought up the issue of amicus curiae and wasted the court’s time. You should also know that in my court, I don’t read processes. If you need time to serve processes, it must reach me on time, and your colleague must also be duly informed. There must be mutual respect. Do not come and serve processes in court. I don’t allow that in my court,” he said.
Prosecuting Counsel, Abba Mohammed, SAN, had earlier informed the court that the business of the day was the adoption of the prosecution’s application for the amendment of the charge, which was filed on October 30, 2024. However, the defence responded with a counter-affidavit and a request for adjournment to enable the prosecution to study the affidavit.
Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter to November 28, 2024, for a ruling on the adoption of the application.
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