The trial of Mahmud Tukur, Ochonogor Alex, Abdullahi Alao and Eterna Oil Plc, who are being prosecuted over a N1.8 billion subsidy scam at a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State suffered yet another setback on Monday as the defence counsel representing the quartet failed to show up in court.
When the matter was called, the counsel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Rotimi Jacob (SAN), immediately told the court that the defence team, led by Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), had earlier through a written letter dated September 26, 2013, demanded an adjournment, which Jacob said he turned down through a written reply on the same date.
Jacob said that the defence team failed to show up in court despite his reply to their letter opposing their request for an adjournment.
But counsel to the third defendant, O. Badewole, was however present in court.
The presiding Judge, Justice Lawal Akapo, then adjourned the matter to November 6, 2013 for mention.
Mahmud Tukur, Ochonogor Alex, Abdullahi Alao and Eterna Oil Plc were alleged to have fraudulently obtained N1.8 billion from the Federal Government through the Petroleum Support Fund and were subsequently arraigned on a nine count charge for offences bordering on obtaining money through false pretence, forgery and uttering contrary to Section 468 of the Criminal Code.
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