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The trial of former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, couldn’t go on on the Federal Excessive Courtroom Abuja on Monday as a result of absence of his lead counsel, Ahmed Raji.
On the resumed listening to, the Prosecution Counsel, Farouk Abdullah, instructed the courtroom that the enterprise of the day was for the continuation of the trial to permit the defence staff to cross-examine the third prosecution witness.
“The witness is in courtroom and with the permission of the courtroom, we’re able to proceed,” Mr Abdullah mentioned.
Nevertheless, Mr Fani-Kayode’s counsel, Zakari Garba, who was holding temporary for Mr Raji knowledgeable the courtroom that they obtained data solely on Friday that the matter had been slated for listening to on Monday.
He mentioned that furthermore, Mr Raji, who was the lead counsel, wished to cross-examine the witness himself to make sure that the justice of the case was served.
“I affirm that the matter is for continuation of trial for the cross-examination of the third prosecution witness however we acquired to know of the date for at present’s listening to solely on Friday.
“Once we reached the defendant on Sunday, he mentioned he was in Zamfara and needed to are available in at present out of respect for the courtroom.
“Additionally after we communicated the date to the lead counsel, he indicated that he desires to cross-examine the witness himself however he isn’t obtainable as he’s out of city.”
The counsel mentioned that the case was a delicate prison matter including that it could not serve the curiosity of justice for the defendant to be foreclosed from cross-examining the witness.
Mr Garba prayed the courtroom for an adjournment to allow Mr Raji to look in courtroom and cross-examine the witness himself.
Mr Abdullah opposed the appliance for an adjournment saying that Mr Raji was not in courtroom when the third prosecution witness gave his testimony so it was untenable for the defence to base its software for adjournment on that floor.
He additionally mentioned the regulation had gone previous a scenario the place a counsel would insist on cross-examining a witness personally.
He held that ought to the defence insist on not occurring with the enterprise of the day, it could seem they weren’t able to cross-examine the witness and must be foreclosed.
In a ruling, the trial decide, John Tsoho mentioned that the courtroom’s data confirmed that Mr Raji was the lead counsel within the case having participated within the case earlier than and cross-examined the second prosecution witness.
“The courtroom refrains from foreclosing the defence from cross-examining the witness,” the decide mentioned.
He adjourned the matter till October 26 for the defence to cross-examine the third prosecution witness.
The Information Company of Nigeria (NAN) recollects that Mr Fani-Kayode was docked by the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) on a five-count cost bordering on cash laundering and prison breach of belief.
He allegedly collected N26 million from the Workplace of the previous Nationwide Safety Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and used the identical for a media marketing campaign, opposite to Part 15 (2) (b) of the Cash Laundering Act.
He pleaded not responsible to the cost and was admitted to bail within the sum of N50 million and one surety in like sum.
(NAN)
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