A Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, has adjourned the case filed by First Bank Nigeria and Read Agricultural Manufacturing Industry Limited (in receivership) against the firm’s directors, Mr. Remi Alabi and Mrs Ngozi Nwauma Alabi over alleged N42 million debt to July 6 and 7, 2022.
   
Justice Uche Agomoh adjourned the case for counsel to the defendants, Chief Richard Ogunwole (SAN), to open and close his case and for the adoption of final addresses by both parties.
   
The case is marked FHC/IB/CS/104/2018. When the case came up on May 17, First Bank’s counsel, Mr. Justice Akose, called his witness, who was cross-examined by Chief Ogunwole. The cross examination continued till May 18. 
   
The witness was the bank’s Business Manager. With the end of cross-examination, the door was opened for Chief Ogunwole to call his own witness at the next adjourned day. 
   
His own witness would be cross-examined by Mr. Justice Akose, and thereafter, a date would be fixed for judgment. Speaking with journalists Chief Ogunwole said: “The matter came up on May 17.  The claimant went on with their claim and we started cross examination the same day. May 18, we continued with the cross examination. We are tendering our own documents and will bring our own witness.” 
   
On the opening and closing of the case on the next adjourned date, the Senior Advocate said: “We are in the hands of God. The judge is optimistic and we are also optimistic. In other words, the judge has given us two days to open our case and to close it. We are comfortable with it. The only thing is that they must not put other cases that day.
   
“Humanly speaking, there may not be another adjournment. There will be adoption of addresses. They have to adjourn for judgement. If they are going to deliver judgement,  it will be after the next  adjournment.That will be next legal year, early September.”
   
Claimants counsel, Akose said: “The court has adjourned to 6th and 7th of July, 2022. The court mandated the respondent to ensure that their witness attends court on those dates due to the age of the case. 
   
“I won’t take more than 30 minutes to cross-examining their witness. I am comfortable with the way the matter went.”