The absence of Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday stalled the trial of a former Managing Director of Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) Plc, Aliyu Abdulhameed.
The matter, which was number two on the day’s cause list, could not proceed as Justice Ekwo was said to be in another official engagement.
The case was subsequently fixed for November 25 for commencement of trial.
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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abdulhameed and his co-defendant, Babangida Abdullahi, were arraigned on March 13 on a 10-count charge before the judge but pleaded not guilty to the counts.
They were admitted to terms of administrative bail earlier granted to them by the police.
The criminal charge, dated and filed on November 28, last year, was filed by the Legal/Prosecution Counsel of the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Celestine Odo, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).
In the charge, the defendants and others said to be on the run, were alleged to have, on or around October 23, last year, conspired among themselves to commit forgery.