Absence of the lawyer to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mohammed Abubakar, on Wednesday stalled the trial of the immediate past Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita.
The EFCC had on March 23 arraigned Mrs Oyo-Ita on an 18-count charge of N3 billion graft alongside her special assistant, Ubong Effiok; Frontline Ace Global Services Limited; Asanaya Projects Ltd; Garba Umar and his companies, Slopes International Ltd and Good deal Investments Ltd.
Others charged include U & U Global Services Ltd, owned by Mr Effiok, and Prince Mega Logistics Ltd.
They were all arraigned before Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged fraud in relation to duty tour allowance (DTA), estacodes, conference fees and receiving kickbacks on contracts.
All nine defendants pleaded not guilty to the 18-count charge.
Oyo-Ita was relieved of her duty last September after about N600 million was allegedly found in the bank account of her aide.
At the resumed trial on Wednesday, the prosecution was absent, forcing adjournment.
Oyo-Ita’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro, said he had no knowledge of the reason for the prosecution’s absence.
Justice Taiwo adjourned the case till July 8 since the matter “is not classified urgent and time-bound” and to give the prosecutor time to make himself available.
