Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo has criticised Adeola Adedipe, counsel for a former minister of power and steel Olu Agunloye for causing delays in the ongoing trial.
In a statement released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the judge expressed frustration during Thursday’s proceedings, noting that the senior advocate frequently cited Agunloye’s health and age while filing motions that hindered progress in the case.
“My principle of justice is that of no delay. The other time you brought the issue of amicus curiae and wasted the time of the court,” the judge was quoted to have said.
“You should also know that in my court I don’t read processes. If you need time to serve processes, it must reach me on time, and your colleague must also be duly aware in time.
“There must be mutual respect. Do not come and serve processes in court; I don’t take that in my court.”
Earlier in the session, the prosecuting counsel Abba Mohammed requested an adjournment to review the defence’s counter-affidavits opposing the EFCC’s application to amend charges.
The judge subsequently adjourned the case until November 28 for a ruling on the application.
The EFCC is prosecuting Agunloye over a controversial $6 billion Mambilla hydropower contract awarded to Sunrise Power and Transmission Ltd. in 2003. The anti-corruption agency alleges that suspicious payments were traced from the private firm to Agunloye’s bank accounts.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has also questioned Agunloye’s authority to award the contract, challenging him to explain the basis for his decision.
On January 11, Agunloye was arraigned on a seven-count charge of fraudulent contract awards and official corruption. He was subsequently granted bail in the sum of N50 million.
