The Kaduna State High Court has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to produce former governor Nasir El-Rufai at the next hearing of his trial on Tuesday.
Justice Darius Khobo gave the order on Monday after adjourning proceedings following an agreement between the prosecution and defence.
The ICPC’s lead counsel, Ayodeleji Adelukpe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, told the court that the defence had requested an adjournment to enable its lead counsel, Paul Erokoro, to attend the swearing-in ceremony for newly conferred Senior Advocates of Nigeria at the Supreme Court.
Adelukpe said Erokoro had sent him a WhatsApp message requesting that proceedings scheduled for Monday and Tuesday be vacated, and later called to explain the request.
He said he agreed to the Monday adjournment out of respect for Erokoro and in recognition of the importance of the ceremony but proposed that the case continue on Tuesday.
According to him, he suggested 10am for the next sitting, subject to the judge’s approval, but Erokoro requested noon.
The prosecution counsel, however, expressed surprise at El-Rufai’s absence, saying the communication from the defence did not indicate that the former governor would be unavailable.
Adelukpe told the court that he understood El-Rufai was absent because he wanted to review the results of his medical tests.
The court subsequently adjourned the proceedings until Tuesday and directed the ICPC to ensure the former governor was produced for the hearing.
Discussion0