The arraignment of Dr. Nkereuwem Sunday Etukudo, the Provost of the Federal School of Medical Laboratory Technology, Jos, Plateau State, and four others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before Justice Y.G. Dakwak of the Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos, could not go on as planned on Monday.
Etukudo is to be prosecuted alongside Yusuf Samuel, the Accountant of FSMLT; Ernest Demtoe, the Secretary of the Tenders Board, FSMLT; and Goodluck Echewa and Hon. Esio Udoh, both contractors of FSMLT, for offences bordering on conspiracy and diversion of funds to the tune of N359 million.
When the case was called and the appearances of counsel announced, the prosecuting counsel, Steve Ehi Odiase, told the court that although four of the accused persons were in court, they could not take their plea because the third accused person was absent on grounds of ill health.
According to Odiase: “The 3rd accused is at National Hospital, Abuja for a kidney related ailment and is undergoing dialysis.
“We will further investigate the severity of his ailment as well as the duration of his treatment and amend the charge so that trial will continue.”
Consequently, Justice Dakwak adjourned the matter to May 2, 2016 for arraignment.
