By Our Reporter
Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo-Giwa of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, adjourned the arraignment of the Director General of National Broadcasting Commission, Ishaq Modibbo Kawu to May 2 2019.
Others are Sir Lucky Omoluwa, Chairman of Pinnacle Communications Ltd, Dipo Onifade and Pinnacle Communications Ltd.
They are facing trial over allegation of fraud in the digital switch over project of the Federal Government.
At a resumed sitting, Onifade was absent while Omoluwa and Modibbo were present in court.
Counsel to Onifade, Alex Izinyon SAN told the court that the 2nd defendant had informed him through a text message that he left Kaduna in the early hours of Wednesday to attend the proceeding.
However, Izinyon was apprehensive over the absence of Onifade because his phone lines were not reachable.
“My lord, I have a serious challenge in respect of the 2nd defendant. This morning, he sent a text message to me that he had left Kaduna enroute Abuja for his arraignment.
“My lord, the 2nd defendant was in court on the 1st day even when he was not served; on the 12th of March, he was also in court. I pray nothing has happened to him, Izinyon told the court.
In view of the development, Izinyon pleaded for an hour stand down to wait for Onifade’s arrival.
After the stand down, which eventually stretched to more than two hours, Onifade was no where to be found.
On resumption of sitting, Izinyon said, “My lord, I regret to state that the position has not changed. I hope it is well with him.
“I have tried his line and it’s saying not reachable.
Izinyon, therefore, craved the indulgence of the court to have the matter adjourned, hoping to know what actually happened.
“I plead we move the matter to the next adjourned date of May 2” Izinyon stated.
Reacting, the prosecution counsel, Henry Emore, confirmed seeing the phone chat between Onifade and Izinyon.
“We sincerely hope that all is well with the 2nd defendant. We concede to the plea for an adjournment” Emore stated.
In a short ruling, Justice Ogunbanjo-Giwa adjourned the matter to May 2, 2019 for arraignment.
