N600m Navy property: Absence of former CNS Jibrin’s counsel stalls trial
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Absence
By Edith Nwapi
Abuja, March 8, 2018 (NAN) The absence of Mr Yakubu Maiykau (SAN), counsel to former Chief of Naval Staff, retired Vice Admiral Usman Jubrin, on Thursday at an FCT High Court, Maitama , stalled the continuation of the trial- within -trial in the property scam.
Jubrin is standing trial alongside retired Rear Admiral Bala Msheila, retired Rear Admiral Shehu Ahmadu, and Harbour Bay International Limited in an alleged Naval property scam.
They were charged before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a four-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and purchase of a property valued at N600 million from the account of Naval Engineering Services Limited (NESL) without budgetary provision.
The trial -within -trial was ordered by Justice Umar Sadiq, following the objection raised on its admissibility by counsel to Jubrin , Maikyau (SAN) on the ground that it was not made voluntarily.
The prosecuting counsel, Faruk Abdullahi, had sought to tender the statement through the fifth prosecution witness, Chidi Nweke, before the objection was raised.
At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Maikyau informed the court through a letter he sent that he would not be able to be present for the day’s proceedings as he was attending a matter at another court.
He, therefore, sought for an adjournment to enable him be in court personally.
Justice Umar while granting the prayer, warned that the court would no longer entertain any further request for adjournment from the counsel for the first defendant again in the course of the trial -within- trial.
He adjourned the case until March 29 for continuation of the trial-within-trial. (NAN )
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Edited by Obike Ukoh