Trial Of Former Pension Officials Stalled As Former Attorney-General Takes Over Case

The trial of former police pension officials scheduled to commence on Monday was stalled following an application by former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), who was recently briefed by one of the defendants.
 Agabi pleaded with the court to allow him more time to “familiarise himself with the huge volume of court processes relating to the matter” to enable him defend his client in the case.

The prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Jacob told the court that he is ready to proceed with the trial but however conceded that the former Attorney General’s application was constitutional as the constitution guarantees an accused person proper representation in line with right to fair  hearing.
He however expressed regrets that the defendants waited until recently to brief its counsel rather than utilize the long period between the last date that they were in court.
He also expressed his belief that such antics would not be allowed to be used to truncate the trial, warning that the nation eagerly awaits the speedy determination of the matter.
Other lawyers in the matter also conceded to an adjournment in line with Chief Agabi’s application noting that the Senior Advocate of Nigeria has a duty to defend his client adequately and needed to be allowed to familiarise himself with the processes relating to the trial.
The former public officials were re-arraigned before Justice Hussain Baba of Abuja High Court on an amended 20 count charge of criminal breach of trust and conspiracy involving the sum of N39.8 billion.
The defendants are Mr. Essai Dangabar, Atiku Abubakar Kigo, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, Mrs Cyril Attange, Mrs Veronica Uloma Onyegbula, Sani Habila Zira and Christian Madubuike.