The absence of a Defence Counsel on Monday, stalled the arraignment of business mogul, Abdulsalam Abdulkarim-Zaura, before a Kano Federal High Court over alleged 1.3 million dollars fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had filed a charge of criminal conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of 1.3 million dollars against Mr Abdulkarim-Zaura.
At the last adjourned date, the matter could not go on due to the absence of both the Mr Zaura and the trial judge.
But Zaura was in court today, having been picked up at his residence by operatives of the commission.
When the case came up for arraignment, the EFCC Counsel, Aisha Habib told the court that she received a letter from the defence counsel.
“My Lord we received a letter this morning from the defence counsel, Mr Ibrahim Garba-Waru, notifying us of his appearance in the Supreme Court Abuja for a pre-election matter.
“My Lord this is a criminal matter, The case has suffered several adjournments,. Section 33(a) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, states that the plea of a defendant must be taken in the presence of his counsel”
The judge, Justice Muhammad Nasir-Yunusa, held that the position of law according to the provisions of section 36(2)(a)(b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended says a defendant must be given adequate time and facility to defend himself.
He said the case is a criminal matter and has suffered several adjournments.
“My interest in this matter is the interest of Justice,” he said.
Mr Nasir-Yunusa adjourned the matter until Feb.6, for arraignment.
On June 9, 2020 Mr Abdulkarim-Zaura was discharged and acquitted by a Federal High Court over a nine-count charge of 1.3 million dollars fraud.
The Kano Court of Appeal Division on April 2022, ordered a fresh trial of the case earlier dismissed by a lower court.
NAN
