THE expected resumption of hearing into alleged bribery case against former House of Representatives member, Farouk Lawan, was stalled on Wednesday at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Apo.
Lawan is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for allegedly collecting $500,000 bribe from billionaire businessman, Mr. Femi Otedola.
The former lawmaker allegedly asked for money to enable him removal the name of Otedola’s company from the list of firms indicted by the House of Representatives ad hoc committee on fuel subsidy in 2012.
Presiding Justice Angela Otaluka adjourned the matter till March 5 to enable the defence counsel bring their witnesses to court.
Benson Emmanuel, who stood in for defence counsel, Mike Ozokhome (SAN), applied to the court to subpoena the two witnesses to appear before it on the next adjourned date.
The lawyer argued that by deliberately refusing to appear before the court after they assured the defence counsel that they would do so, the witnesses showed they could only be compelled to appear by a process of law.
He said the defence was constrained to ask for an adjournment to enable the court subpoena the witnesses to appear before it.
But prosecution counsel Adegboyega Awomolo objected to the prayer, saying the defence had not shown commitment and diligence in the matter.
He argued that they had two clear weeks from the last date of sitting to have applied for the witnesses to be subpoenaed but rather waited till the day the defendant was to open his defence.
He urged the court to compel the defendant to open his defence.
Justice Otaluka adjourned the matter and held that it was a criminal case that should be given accelerated hearing.
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