Former governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu, on Wednesday, ordered his security aide to beat up and seize a camera belonging to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operative, Haruna Ashade, in court.
Audu, who is being prosecuted at a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court by the EFCC for his alleged involvement in a contract scam to the tune of N11 billion, angered by the way the EFCC operative was taking his photograph, ordered his security aide (a police officer) to assault him while the court was in session.
A scuffle, however, ensured, which threw the court into confusion. Audu’s aide, according to an eyewitness, rained blows on Ashade in an attempt to snatch the camera from him.
It took the personal intervention of Justice Ademola Adeniyi, who was about coming out of his chambers, to restore order.
Justice Adeniyi sent one of his assistants and his orderly to restrain Prince Audu’s aide. He was said to have ordered the release of the camera for it to be kept in the custody of the court until after the sitting. Ashade obliged them.
However, when the case was finally called, the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, pleaded for a short adjournment for reasons of non-availability of his witnesses in court. He told the court that he was at the Court of Appeal till late Tuesday, March 3, and was not aware that the bank witnesses to be called are not available.
He informed the court that the prosecution will be bringing new witnesses to testify.
Responding, counsel to the first accused, Patrick Ikwueto, said if the prosecution has other witnesses not contained in the proof of evidence, there is the need for defendants to be served with their statement.
The case has been adjourned to Friday, March 6, 2015 for continuation of trial.
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