Tunde Oyesina Abuja The Federal Government yestersay re-arraigned a former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke, before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
Adoke was arraigned with an Abuja businessman, Aliyu Abubakar, on a seven-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/39/2017.
Six counts in the charge related to Adoke while the remaining one was against Abubakar.
When the charge was read to them, the defendants pleaded not guilty.
After that, prosecution counsel, Bala Sanga, said he would have applied for the remand of the defendants in prison, but for the reality of the coronavirus pandemic.
Sanga, who noted that the prosecution was not served any bail application on behalf of any of the defendants, said he would not object should lawyers to the defendants apply for bail orally.
Counsel to the two defendants, Kanu Agabi (SAN), Akin Olujinmi (SAN), respectively commended Sanga for his friendly gesture.
Agabi and Olujinmi noted that the case was transferred from Justice Binta Nyako’s court where the defendants were arraigned in February this year and granted bail.
They however prayed the court to allow the defendants to continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted them.
The trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, acceded to the request.
Sanga later prayed the court for a short adjournment for the commencement of trial to enable the prosecution prove its case.
“We hope to open and close this case on time. Our witnesses are within jurisdiction, and we do not intend to call more than five witnesses,” Sanga said.
Justice Ekwo subsequently adjourned till August 3, for the commencement of trial.
