Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the trial of former Governor of Adamawa, Murtala Nyako and others until Jan. 24.
Justice Abang fixed the date, following the appeal filed by the ex-governor and other defendants at the Court of Appeal, asking the court to uphold their no-case submission.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Abang had, on July 19, dismissed the no-case submission of Nyako and eight others in a fraud suit filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The defendants, however, approached the appellate court to challenge the decision of the trial court.
They also filed an application at the lower court for a stay of proceedings on the matter, pending the determination of their suit at the Court of Appeal.
But the Appeal Court was yet to deliver judgment on the matter.
Nyako, alongside his son, Abdul-Aziz; two companies, Sebore Farms and Extension Ltd and Pagado Fortunes Ltd, as well as Zulkifik Abba; Abubakar Aliyu; Blue Opal Ltd; Tower Assets Management Ltd, and Crust Energy Ltd are facing 37-count charges of criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office, and money laundering.
Abang had fixed today for either report on the Court of Appeal judgment or for the continuation of trial in the matter.
At the resumed hearing, the EFCC lawyer, Leke Atolagbe, told the court that parties were still awaiting the decision of the higher court.
“The case was adjourned for mention and/or for reports in respect of the appeal of the nine defendants.
“As it stands my lord, the judgement at the Court of Appeal has neither been delivered nor have we been given any date.
“That is the report, my lord. Ordinarily, the case supposed to be for defence and that is the reason why I cannot push for an adjournment,” he said.
Atolagbe stated that the appeals were argued on Oct. 21 and that the appellant court was still within the 90 days timeframe to deliver the judgment.
Lawyers to the defendants agreed with the prosecution on the status of the appeal.
They urged the court to adjourn the matter so as to await the outcome of the higher court on their application.
Justice Abang then adjourned the matter until Jan. 24, 2022, for further mention and/or to abide by the outcome of the appeal. (NAN)
