The absence of the judge on Tuesday stalled the hearing of the trial of former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, who has been accused of diverting N9.79 billion.
The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, however, adjourned the trial till March 26.
Part of the diverted funds was said to be for police reform and the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme.
The Federal Government is prosecuting the former governor through its counsel, Aminu Alilu.
Those charged alongside Mr Suswam in the 32-count charge are a former Commissioner for Finance, Omadachi Oklobia, and a former Accountant at the Benue State Government House, Janet Aluga.
In the charge, the trio allegedly cornered the said funds between 2012 and 2015 while Suswam was governor of the state.
They are also accused of conspiracy, conversion of property derived directly from corruption, conspiring to conceal property derived from corruption, obtaining by false pretence, and accepting cash payments exceeding the amount authorised by law.
The case was previously adjourned till January 22 for trial.
