The trial of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in Nigeria, Mohammed Adokehas been stalled because he contracted Covid-19 and was unable to appear in court.
It would be recalled that the former minister is being prosecuted by the Nigerian government through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC over alleged money laundering.
When the case came up at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital, Counsel to Mr. Adoke, Kanu Agabi informed the court that his client contracted COVID-19 at UAE and could not return to the country as planned.
Justice Inyang Ekwo earlier granted Mr. Adoke permission to travel between December 15 and return on January 10, 2021, a day before the scheduled resumption of his trial.
Counsel to the former Minister, Kanu Agabi told Justice Ekwo that his client tested positive to the disease at the point of his return to Nigeria, and was subsequently held back by the UAE authorities.
According to Mr. Agabi, his client later tested negative to the coronavirus after his treatment but was unable to get flight to the country.
“My lord, let me apologise to you that the 1st defendant in this matter, Mohammed Bello Adoke, is not in court today due to circumstances beyond his control.
“I thank this court for granting him permission to travel abroad for medical examination.
“Before he left this country, he tested negative. But unfortunately while in the UAE, he tested positive at his point of his return to Nigeria. “However. he is now negative after the treatment but he was unable to get flight to the country. Happily, he will return tomorrow, January 12, 2021,” he said.
Mr. Agabi also informed that an application dated Jan. 4 and filed same day, seeking for an extension of time to avail the 1st defendant of the opportunity to take care of himself had already been brought before the court.
Nnenna.O
