The Abuja division of the federal high court has adjourned for December 7, for a trial within a trial, the matter between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Mohammed Adoke, the former minister of justice and former Attorney General of the Federation and one Aliyu Abubakar.
Mr Adoke is being prosecuted alongside Aliyu Abubakar by the EFCC on 14-count amended charges bordering on money laundering.
The duo was present in court for the continuation of trial on Monday, December 6, 2021.
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What happened in court
The eighth prosecution witness, Ibrahim Ahmed was called to the witness box where he affirmed the evidence under oath. He confirmed that the documents tendered as evidence were the statements of the defendants that he took during the time of their arrest.
While identifying the statements, Mr Ahmed told the court that the statements were taken and recorded before their lawyer.
The defence counsel then applied orally for a trial within trial. He claimed the statement of the second defendant (Mr Aliyu) was taken under duress.
A trial within trial is a mini-trial inside a case.
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The prosecution is expected to prove that the statements of the defendants were taken willingly and legally.
Responding to the application, the prosecution counsel, Bala Sanga said he was not opposing the application and that the prosecution is prepared for it. “ We are ever ready for a trial within trial” Mr Sanga said.
Justice Ekwo granted the application and adjourned the matter until tomorrow, Tuesday, November 7, for a trial within trial.
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In case you missed it
Nairametrics had reported that Mr Adoke had filed an application seeking to extend his medical trip by two weeks which was granted by the judge.
What you should know
Mr Adoke was first arraigned alongside Mr Aliyu on March 1, 2020, before Justice Binta Nyako on a seven-count charge. Adoke and Abubakar were re-arraigned on June 17, 2020, before Justice Ekwo on the same count charge.
On August 4, 2020 the two were re-arraigned again before Justice Ekwo on a 14-count charge bordering on money laundering.
