The trial of ex-Chief of Defense Staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh at a Federal High Court in Abuja suffered a delay on Monday following the introduction of additional proofs of evidence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC
The trial was stalled when the defense counsel, Akin Olujimi requested for time to study the additional evidence brought by the anti-graft agency.
Despite the opposition of the prosecution counsel, the presiding judge, Justice Okon Abang ruling that the accused person could not be denied the right of defense.
"The applicant has since March 7 when he was arraigned been represented by a counsel, so he cannot in the attempt to hire another counsel halt the trial.
Today is reserved for commencement of trial and the court will not allow any flimsy motion to stop that.
However, on the issue of late service of the additional proof of evidence filed by the prosecution, the applicant may have a point there and so the application has succeeded in parts,’’ he ruled.
He went on to hold that given
the circumstance, "the application succeeds in parts to enable counsel to the applicant study the new proof of evidence before the commencement of trial.
" The matter is hereby adjourned till March 16 for day-to-day trial,’’ he said.
Badeh is accused of misappropriating N3.9 billion belonging to the Nigerian Air Force while he was the Chief of Air Staff.
NAN
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