Alleged fraud: Court adjourns ex- NBC chief’s trial till April 4

The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday adjourned the trial of the former Director- General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Emeka Mba, till April 4 for continuation of hearing.

Justice Kolawale adjourned the matter at the instance of Mr. Ikoro Ikoro, counsel to Babatunji Amure, the fourth defendant, who informed the court that he was not ready for the trial.

Kolawale said the adjournment was to enable counsel prepare to continue with the substantive trial since the trial within-trial would no longer go on.

Mr. I.F. Chude, counsel to Patrick Areh, the second defendant, had told the court of his intention to discontinue the trial-within-trial, that the court had ordered at the last adjourned date.

Ikoro said since the court had adjourned for trial-within-trial, he did not come to court with materials to use to cross examine the witness in the trial.

Mba is standing trial on an amended 15-count charge, bordering on N2.9 billion fraud.

He is facing trial alongside the Director of Finance and Accounts, Patrick Areh, Basil Udotai and Babatunji Amure.

At the beginning of hearing, Chude informed the court of his intention to withdraw from the trial- within-trial to ascertain the confessional statement of Areh.

“The matter was adjourned for trial- within-trial to ascertain the alleged confessional statement of the 2nd defendant.

“I wish to inform the court of my intention to withdraw from the objection to the admissibility of the statement,’’ he said.

In his ruling, the judge admitted the defendant’s statement dated January 11, 2016 in evidence, as exhibit 2.

NAN