The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday adjourned the 11-year-old N3.1 billion money laundering trial of former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam until 25 September.
Judge Peter Lifu adjourned the case despite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) request that the matter be heard on Friday.
The adjournment means the adoption of final written addresses, the last stage before judgement, will now take place after the court’s annual vacation, which begins on 27 July.
During the Thursday’s proceedings, the prosecution urged Judge Lifu not to postpone proceedings for too long, arguing that the case had already lasted 11 years, said a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale. In its 11 years, the case has moved between three judges.
“I urge the court to give us leave to move for the adoption of the written address, and not to seek adjournment in a case that is 11 years old and your lordship is the fifth judge to come and sit on the case,” the prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), argued.
