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Judge’s absence stalls Badeh’s trial

By Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Abuja
10 October 2016   |   2:09 pm
The trial of former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex S. Badeh, was yesterday stalled as the trial Judge, Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, failed to entertain his case or any other.
Former Chief of Defence Staff Alex Badeh . Photo Ladidi Lucy Elukpo.

Former Chief of Defence Staff Alex Badeh . Photo Ladidi Lucy Elukpo.

The trial of former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex S. Badeh, was yesterday stalled as the trial Judge, Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, failed to entertain his case or any other.

It was however gathered from the Court Registrar, who came to intimate lawyers on the development that the trial has been stood down till today.

Continuation of Badeh’s trial was originally fixed for Monday, tomorrow and Wedneday at the last adjourned date in July.

As expected, both Badeh and his defense team, led by Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), were in court. Also in court were the prosecution counsels.

When, as late as 10 am, Justice Abang was yet to enter the courtroom, it became obvious that the trial may not hold. Yet, all sat quietly until 10.20 am when the Court Registrar whispered to Olujimi and others that the court will not seat.

When The Guardian tried to find out from Chief Olujimi if any reason was given for non-appearance of the trial Judge, he said he did not need to know the reason.

He stated however that since the trial has been shifted till today, he will be in court with his client as expected of them.

Abang’s failure to appear in court might not be unconnected with the arrest of Judges across the country last Friday and Saturday respectively by the officers of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Seven Judges were arrested in different states across the country for alleged corruption and are still in the custody of DSS.

They include Inyang Okoro and Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court, Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Kabir Auta of the Kano High Court, Mu’azu Pindiga of the Gombe High Court, Mohammed Tsamiya of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin and the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I. A. Umezulike.

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