The trial of a former Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku was stalled yesterday in an Abuja High Court due to the absence of Bello Yero, a former Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Ishaku and Yero with criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds to the tune of N27 billion.
They both pleaded not guilty to the charge the anti-graft agency preferred against them.
At the resumed hearing in the case, Yero’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), apologised to the court for his client’s absence and accepted responsibility for this.
The lawyer said that since the commencement of the case, his client had always been present in court for his trial.
The SAN said he thought the court had vacated yesterday’s date, which was why he could not mobilise Yero to be in court.
He added that when he learnt that the matter was to be held yesterday, he immediately got in touch with his client, who is in Adamawa State, directing him to make it to Abuja with the first available flight yesterday.
Asking for a stand-down of the matter till 1 p.m., Adedipe informed the court that Yero was at the airport in Yola to fly to Abuja.
Responding to the application, counsel for Ishaku, Chris Umar (SAN), told the court that ordinarily he would not oppose the application for a stand-down.
The lawyer said but for the fact that the former governor was not feeling well and was scheduled to see his doctor after the court proceedings.
Responding, the prosecution counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, told the court that the prosecution was seriously constrained to oppose the application for a stand-down.
He added that the witnesses were in court for continuation.
Atolagbe confirmed Adedipe’s submission that Yero had always been attending court sittings to face his trial.
The lawyer urged the court to accede to the prayer of the counsel for the second defendant.
Ruling on the application, Justice Sylvanus Oriji averred that from the court records, Yero had always been in court for proceedings in the case.
The judge also held that, given the uncertainties in the aviation sector, the court would rather adjourn the case instead of standing it down, as requested by the second defendant’s counsel.
Justice Oriji adjourned till February 9 for the continuation of evidence of the second prosecution witness.
