The trial of former Senator Shehu Sani was halted in a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday due to the absence of a Prosecution Witness (PW12) who was scheduled to testify.
When the matter was called, the prosecution counsel, Mr Abba Mohammed, informed the court that it was for the continuation of the trial but that the witness was unable to arrive on time due to transportation issues.
“The matter is for the continuation of trial, but our PW 12 explained his transportation challenge to me, which is why he isn’t yet in court.” “I humbly request a cease-fire until noon,” he said.
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Mr Abdul Ibrahim, SAN, Sani’s counsel, has also agreed to step down.
The judge, however, declined a stand down and instead told the prosecutor to set a new date, warning that it would be the prosecution’s final adjournment.
“I am not ready for a stand down,” the judge said, “so I will give you a new date that will be the last adjournment for the prosecution.”
The case was adjourned until June 22 and 23 so that the prosecution could call its 12th witness.
The former senator had previously been charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with bribery, name-dropping, and influence peddling.
Sani was accused of obtaining $25,000 fraudulently from the Chairman of ASD Group of Companies, according to the anti-corruption agency.
He was accused of taking the money under the false pretense that it would be used to bribe former EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Magu in order to protect him (Dauda) from investigation and prosecution.
The former senator, on the other hand, pleaded not guilty to all of the allegations.
