At the resumed hearing, the prosecution and defence adopted their positions on El-Rufai's no-case submission.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr Oluwole Aladedoyin, SAN, told the court that the business of the day was for El-Rufai to adopt his no-case submission.
Counsel to El-Rufai, Mr Akinyemi Aremu, who announced that the defence team was led by Mr Paul Erokoro, SAN, told the court that Erokoro had prayed for the matter to be stood down as he was still on his way to court.
The trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, however, refused the request, saying there was no room for stand down.
Aremu subsequently sought the court’s permission for his co-counsel, Mr Ekere, to handle the proceedings.
Ekere then moved a motion seeking an extension of time to deem the defendant’s no-case submission properly filed and served.
The judge granted the application and deemed the processes relating to the no-case submission properly filed and served.
Ekere thereafter adopted the no-case submission and urged the court to uphold it and discharge the defendant.
Aladedoyin, however, prayed the court to overrule the no-case submission and order the defendant to enter his defence.
He argued that the defence, in making their no-case submission, had evaded Exhibit B, which he said was the defendant’s confession.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until Oct. 26 for ruling.
Discussion0