The trial of former Air Marshal Adeshola Amosu, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Bola Adigun, and Air Commodore Gbadebo Owodunni Olugbenga for 29 counts of corruption-related charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) did not start today as planned. On Friday, Justice Baba Idris ruled that the case be adjourned to September 12th and 13th.
The defense counsel, Bolaji Ayorinde, said trial could not commence because the EFCC was yet to verify the defendants' bail conditions. Mr. Ayorinde argued that it was unfair to begin the trial while they are still held in custody.
Mr. Ayorinde also said he received the EFCC’s proposal for a plea bargain on Thursday July 7th, leaving him with no time to prepare his response to it.
The prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyeyipo, argued that the trial could begin as scheduled, irrespective of the reasons identified by the defense counsel. Mr. Oyeyipo asked whether the defense counsel would have refused to start trial had the court not granted the defendants bail.
The court ruled in favor of the defense counsel, saying it is only fair that time be given to him to prepare his response to the plea bargain proposal. The Mr. Idris also ordered the anti-graft agency to verify the bail conditions on or before July 11th.
In an interview with Mr. Oyeyipo he said it was the defense counsel that approached the anti-graft agency to settle out of court and that the EFCC is willing to commence discussions on the plea bargain.
He said the EFCC has served the defense counsel the terms for the plea bargain, but he is yet to respond to the terms. He added that it was one of the reasons that the court adjourned the case, adding that the court might commence trial on the adjourned date or adopt the outcome of the plea bargain.
The defendants were arraigned on June 29th and pleaded not guilty to the 29-count charge.
The court granted them bail on five conditions, which the EFCC is yet to verify for the bail to proceed.
