An application challenging the decision of the Chief Judge of
the FCT, Ishaq Bello, to transfer the bribery case against Farouk
Lawan on Wednesday stalled his arraignment.
Mr. Lawan who was the former chairman, House of Representative
Ad-hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy at the 7th National Assembly, was
docked before Justice Yusuf Halilu of FCT High Court, Jabi.
The defendant was charged by the Office of the Attorney-General
of the Federation for allegedly receiving bribe of $500,000 from
Femi Otedola, the Chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd.
At the resumed hearing, the prosecution counsel, Akinyosoye
Arosanyi, informed the court that it had filed a motion challenging
the transfer of the case to the present judge (Halilu).
Mr. Arosanyi told Justice Halilu that the chief judge did not
follow the right procedure before he transferred the case and urged
him to disqualify himself.
The prosecution said that since the chief judge did not follow
the normal procedure, the court should transfer the case back to
the chief judge.
The defence counsel, Godwin Iyinbor, told the court that the
application was served on the defence and would file counter
affidavit.
Mr. Iyinbor told the court that irrespective of any issue, the
defence was ready to go on with the matter.
Justice Halilu adjourned the matter until September 28 to rule
on the application challenging his hearing of the matter.
(NAN)
An application challenging the decision of the Chief Judge of
the FCT, Ishaq Bello, to transfer the bribery case against Farouk
Lawan on Wednesday stalled his arraignment.
Mr. Lawan who was the former chairman, House of Representative
Ad-hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy at the 7th National Assembly, was
docked before Justice Yusuf Halilu of FCT High Court, Jabi.
The defendant was charged by the Office of the Attorney-General
of the Federation for allegedly receiving bribe of $500,000 from
Femi Otedola, the Chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd.
At the resumed hearing, the prosecution counsel, Akinyosoye
Arosanyi, informed the court that it had filed a motion challenging
the transfer of the case to the present judge (Halilu).
Mr. Arosanyi told Justice Halilu that the chief judge did not
follow the right procedure before he transferred the case and urged
him to disqualify himself.
The prosecution said that since the chief judge did not follow
the normal procedure, the court should transfer the case back to
the chief judge.
The defence counsel, Godwin Iyinbor, told the court that the
application was served on the defence and would file counter
affidavit.
Mr. Iyinbor told the court that irrespective of any issue, the
defence was ready to go on with the matter.
Justice Halilu adjourned the matter until September 28 to rule
on the application challenging his hearing of the matter.
(NAN)
Read more https://nairalaw.com/farouk-lawans-bribery-trial-stalled/