2 hours Ago By David Meshioye
Judge Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo has cautioned Adeola Adedipe, the counsel representing Olu Agunloye, former Minister of Power and Steel, about delays in the trial. According to a statement from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the judge criticised the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) during the proceedings on Thursday for repeatedly offering excuses related to Agunloye’s health and age, as well as for filing various motions that have hindered the progress of the trial. “My principle of justice is that of no delay.
The other time you brought the issue of amicus curiae and wasted the time of the court. “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 aware in time.
“There must be mutual respect. Do not come and serve processes in court; I don’t take that in my court,” the judge was quoted to have said. In an earlier submission, prosecuting counsel Abba Mohammed requested an adjournment to allow time to study the counter-affidavits filed by the defense in response to the application to amend the charge.
The presiding judge has adjourned the matter until November 28 for a ruling on the adoption of the application. The EFCC is prosecuting Agunloye over a $6 billion Mambilla hydropower contract..
