Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of a Federal High Court, Abuja, has again adjourned the trial of a former Accountant-General of the Federation, Jonah Otunla, to February 7, 2019.
The adjournment is consequent upon the absence of the defendant (Jonah Otunla) in court. The Court, however, stressed that if he is again absent at the next adjourned date, the Court will be compelled to hear the application of the prosecution seeking for a warrant for his arrest.
According to the report by EFCC, Otunla is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a five-count charge of money laundering involving the diversion of about N2 billion from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA.
He was to be arraigned on December 7, 2017, along with Ade Adelakun, and seven other companies – Gold Reef Industries Limited, Lambster Nigeria Limited, G.C. Electronic Limited, Sinmilak Nigeria Limited, Wehsac Farms Limited, Shepherded Field Global Resources Limited and Stellavera Development Company Limited, but his absence stalled his arraignment.
The case was rescheduled to January 22, 2018, but yet again he was absent in court, and through his counsel, Ahmed Raji, SAN, represented him, his absence stalled his trial, as Adelakun who was present in court, could not take his plea.
Raji had told the Court that his client was away “for medical treatment abroad”.