Judge’s absence stalls Oyo-Ita’s alleged fraud trial

The trial of former Head of Service (HoS) of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, was again stalled on Tuesday due to the absence of the trial judge, Justice Taiwo Taiwo.

The alleged fraud trial which is being heard at the Federal High Court Abuja is for a continuation of trial.

Oyo-Ita was, on March 20, arraigned before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an 18-count charge bordering on fraud to the tune of about N471, 633, 291.

Ubong Effiok, her Special Assistant,

and a businessman, Garba Umar is among the defendants.

Other defendants are Frontline Ace Global Services Limited, Asanaya Projects Ltd, Garba Umar Slopes International Ltd., Gooddeal Investments Ltd, U & U Global Services Ltd, which is linked to Effiok and Prince Mega Logistics Limited.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Although counsel to all the parties, including the defendants, was in court at the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Justice Taiwo was absent.

Justice Taiwo this medium recalled had on July 8, adjourned hearing till Oct. 20 and 21 Oct. due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The court registrar informed that the judge, who sat during the annual vacation of the Federal High Court, had proceeded on leave.

The Federal High Court annual vacation, which began on July 27, it was learnt, ended on Sept. 28.

The court has therefore fixed Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 for continuation of trial.

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