Alleged Forgery: Court Turns Down Tarfa’s Bid For Long Adjournment

Justice Adedayo Akintoye of a Lagos High Court in Igbosere
Tuesday turned down a request by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria
(SAN), Mr. Ricky Tarfa, for a long adjournment to continue his
defence to an alleged forgery case slammed on him by the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The silk, who is currently standing trial before the court on an
amended 27-count charge of alleged bribery and obstruction of
public officers, hinged his request for adjournment on the need for
him to fully recuperate from a surgery that was carried out on
him.

He made his intention known through a further affidavit filed
through his lawyer, Mr. Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN).

In his arguments, Owonikoko told Justice Akintoye that the
further affidavit was based on medical advice for his client to see
a physiotherapist.

He added that the application which was filed on October 10,
2019 has been served on the EFCC.

The lawyer revealed that apart from the defendant, they also
have three more witnesses that will testify in the trial.

Responding, EFCC’s lawyer, S. I. Suleman, confirmed the receipt
of the application, but asked the court to exercise its discretion
appropriately. He said the defendant has filed several other
applications in the past.

In a Bench ruling, Justice Akintoye queried why the defence
could not continue with other witnesses pending the time the
defendant recovers rather than asking for an adjournment till
December.