Suspects’ Trial in Police Pension Scam Stalled

Atiku Abubakar Kigo, one of the suspects

by: Tobi Soniyi  in  Abuja

The trial of those allegedly accused of stealing N39.8 billion police pension fund could not resume at the Abuja High Court  monday because of change of counsel by one of the accused persons.

A former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), who said he was recently briefed by one of the accused persons had  pleaded with the court to allow him a little time to familiarise himself with the huge volume of court processes relating to the matter to enable him defend his client in the case.

But the prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Jacob (SAN), told the court that he was ready to proceed with the trial.

He, however, conceded that Agabi's  application was constitutional as the constitution guaranteed an accused person proper representation as required by the right to fair  hearing.

He expressed regret that the accused person waited until recently to brief a new counsel  rather than utilise the long period between the last date that they were in court and monday  when the matter was slated for trial.

Jacob also expressed his belief that similar antics would not be allowed to be used to truncate the trial as the nation eagerly awaited the speedy determination of the matter.

Other lawyers in the matter also conceded to an adjournment in line with Agabi's application, noting that the senior advocate had a duty to defend his client adequately and needed to be allowed enough time to familiarise himself with the processes relating to the trial.

The accused persons are Mr. Essai Dangabar, Atiku Abubakar Kigo, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, Mrs. Cyril Attange, Mrs. Veronica Uloma Onyegbula, Sani Habila Zira and Christian Madubuike.

They were initially arraigned before Justice Hussain Baba of an Abuja High Court on an amended 20- count charge of criminal breach of trust and conspiracy involving the sum of N39.8 billion.

They were earlier arraigned before Justice Mohammed Talba, who sentenced one of the accused persons, Mr. John Yakubu Yusufu, to a two-year  jail term with an option of N750,000 fine, a sentence that drew uncomplimentary remarks against the nation's judiciary in the fight against corruption.

Following the public outcry, the trial of the accused persons was re-assigned to another court presided over by Justice Hussain Baba, while Justice Talba was suspended by the National Judicial Council(NJC)  for abuse of discretion.

The matter was subsequently adjourned until July 11 for trial.