Defense counsel forces court to adjourn Dokpesi’s N2.1bn fraud case

The absence of lead defence counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) forced the Federal High Court in Abuja to adjourn till May 9 and 10 the trial of media businessman, Raymond Dokpesi and his company, Daar Investment and Holdings Limited.

The proceedings which resumed on Wednesday after an adjournment on November 21, 2018 was without Agabi who led the defence team.

The defence team had written a letter to the court seeking an April 24 adjourned date having explained Agabi’s absence owing to his bereavement.

Although he sympathised with Agabi, the lead prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) opposed the adjournment till April.

Chief Rotimi argued that the defence team consisted of four other SANs who could have continued with the case but “deliberately stayed away” to foist the adjournment of the case.

Read also: Onnoghen’s CCT trial adjourned to March 11

But Mr. Ayo Ogundele, who led the defence team on Wednesday, maintained that Agabi, being a diligent lawyer, couldn’t have forced the adjourned date on the court, an argument which was supported by the Judge.

But the Judge said the April 24 date requested by the defence was no longer available and urged the parties to agree on another date.

Consequently, the Judge adjourned till May 9 and 10 after both parties agreed.

The defendants were charged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged money laundering and fraud to a tone of N2.1billion said to have been received from the Office of the National Security Adviser prior to the 2015 presidential election.

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