At today’s sitting, counsel to the 3rd defendant, Iloh K. Sanusi (SAN) informed the court that his client was absent in court due to an illness that befell his mother in Gusau. He added that the 3rd defendant left Gusau as early as 5am today but on getting to Zaria, his vehicle broke down. He said having consulted with the prosecution and other defense counsels, and subject to the convenient of the court, he prayed for an adjournment to February 7th, 2017 for the arraignment. Justice Abba Mohammed said without any objection from other counsels and considering the nature of trial as a joint trial, “the matter is hereby adjourned to February 7th, 2017 for definite arraignment.” In a chat with the prosecutors immediately after the court session, Barrister Pius Akutah said “we know what to do and we don’t want to be seen as persecutors. Next time we know what to do.” Recalled that at the last sitting, the arraignment could not go ahead when counsel to 2nd defendant, Dr. Garba Tetengi (SAN) told the court his client was absent because he was hospitalized over an undisclosed ailment and prayed for an adjournment. The three defendants are standing a joint trial on a nine-count criminal charge for allegedly diverting N2.2 billion belonging to the Supreme Court. They were alleged to have agreed to divert N2.2 billion belonging to the Supreme Court into a personal bank account domiciled at the United Bank for Africa Plc account No. 2027642863 and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 96 of the Penal Code Act. The filed charge alleged that the defendants committed criminal breach of trust between 2009 and 2016 when they were entrusted with the property of the apex court. It was alleged that the defendants obtained gratifications to the tune of N80 million contrary to Section 10 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences (ICPC) Act. It was also alleged that a N2.4 million gratification was obtained from Welcon Nigeria Ltd, N16 million from Dean Musa Nig. Ltd, N19 million from Ababia Ventures Ltd, all being private contractors who provided services to the apex court.]]>