The trial of former Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank Plc (now Access Bank), Dr Erastus Akingbola, which was scheduled to continue before Justice Habeeb Abiru of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, on Monday, could not go on due to the defence counsels’ application for adjournment.
The lead defence counsels, Chief Felix Fagboungbe (SAN) and Mr Deji Sasegbon (SAN), were unavoidably absent due to alleged health challenges.
Akingbola is standing trial alongside his associate, Mr. Bayo Dada for allegedly stealing the bank's money to the tune of N47.1 billion.
At the resumed hearing of the matter, Fagboungbe and Sasegbon, who were represented by Abubakar Shamshudeen, through their letter, asked the court to vacate the six days earlier scheduled to enable them go for medical treatment abroad but this was vehemently opposed by the EFCC counsel, Mr Godwin Obla.
Obla, in opposing the adjournment, argued that since there were other counsels numbering over 10 in the defence team, the absence of the lead counsels should not stall the trial, adding that there was no justification in granting the application to vacate the six days earlier scheduled as Sasegbon agreed on the dates with the prosecution without compulsion.
Justice Abiru, in his short ruling on the matter, refused to vacate the six days as requested by the defence but subsequently vacated just two days adjourning the matter till July 11, 2012 for continuation of trial.
He finally urged the court to reject the application as it lacks merit.
The court had, at the last sitting, adjourned till July 9,10,11,12,18, and 19 for continuation of trial.
The judge stated that though Sasegbon indicated that he might not be available but he never gave any reason for his unavailability.
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