Trial in the N107m case involving a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, could not continue before a Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court yesterday, owing to the absence of defence counsel, Dr. Awa Kalu (SAN).
Kalu is counsel to former secretary of the National Economic Intelligence Council, NEIC, Emeka Ebilah, who is standing trial alongside Ogbulafor, on a 17-count charge of conspiracy and alleged award of fictitious contracts to the tune of N107m, preferred against them by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.
The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act 2000.
Though, the matter was slated for continuation of defence, a letter from Kalu seeking the kind permission of the court for a "short adjournment", received favourable consideration from the trial judge, Justice Ishaq Bello, who adjourned till November 11 and 13.
Regretting his inability to be present in court, in the letter cited by National Mirror, Kalu explained that he was invited by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, President, Chief Okey Wali (SAN) "to be part of the NBA Delegation" that will make input at a Public Hearing by the Senate on "The Legal Practitioners Act (Amendment) Bill 2012."
It will be recalled that Ebilah had, during examination- in-chief, told the court that ICPC operatives forced him to make a refund of N4,395,477.40, to the subtreasury of the federation.
He had testified in part;"A gun was put on my head and I was put into a well like a frog and subjected to inhuman torture; and under that situation, anybody can say anything. "I was made to write or say whatever they (ICPC) wanted me to say so that I will be set free.
The action made me change my statement," he said