N5.2BN FRAUD: COURT WARNS UGBANE, ELUMELU, OTHERS OVER ALLEGED DELAY IN TRIAL

ABUJA-A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, in Gudu, Abuja, has cautioned former House Committee Chairman on Power, Ndudi Elumelu, his counterpart in the Senate, Senator Nicholas Ugbane and Jibo Mohammed, all standing trial for alleged N5.2 billion fraud in the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, to refrain from antics capable of  delaying their trial.

Justice Abimbola Banjoko gave the warning yesterday, even as she expressed dismay over the antics being employed by the trio to delay proceedings.

This followed complaints by EFCC counsel, Kemi Phinero, SAN, who told the court that the Commission was not too comfortable with the delay antics of the accused persons.

At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, counsel to the second accused person,  Patrick Ikweto, SAN, sent a letter to the court pleading for an adjournment on the ground that he was held up in  traffic.

Phinero raised objection to the excuse, which he described as frivolous.

According to him, 'it will be an abuse of court process for the defense counsel, Patrick Ikweto, SAN, to bring forth a flimsy application that he is caught up in traffic, and cannot attend trial.'