Judge’s Absence Stalls Commencement Of Ogunlewe’s Trial

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Absence Of the Judge, has stalled the commencement of trial of a former Minister of Works, Mr Adeseye Ogunlewe and VC of the Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB), Bamidele Oyewole, over the alleged financial mismanagement.

The presiding judge, of the Ogun state High Court six Isabo, Abeokuta, was said to have been bereaved, hence her absence from the court.

The first, second and third defendants and their counsels were present in court for the commencement of the trial fixed for Friday, before announcement was made about the absence of the trial judge.

It would be recalled that the three accused have pleaded not guilty to the 18 count charge proffered against them over financial misappropriation and have since been granted bail after meeting their bail conditions.

Commenting on the development of the absence of the trial judge, counsels to the Economic and Financial Crime commission (EFCC), and the second defendant, Ben Ubi and Benjamin Ogunleye, expressed their readiness for the commencement of trial on December 19 and 20.

According to Mr Ubi, ”it is one of those things that befalls a man.

“If her lordship had not been bereaved, we would have commenced the trial today. over the period I have appeared before her lordship, I knew she is dedicated to her assignments, we came at least with five witnesses today hoping that we will cause the trial to commence but death is about one thing in life,” he said.

“To show you the dedication of the judge, she did not vacate the Monday and Tuesday date, she sustained those dates for the commencement of trial, so, we will be back on Monday by his grace to do what we are expected to do,” he submitted.

Counsel to the second defendant, Mr Ogunleye on the other hand stated that: ”it is an unforeseen circumstance and there is nothing one can do about it.

“We learnt that the trial judge is bereaved and she cannot just sit today, but according to the court registrar, the matter continues on Monday and Tuesday, so, we keep our gunpowder dry until then.

“We are very much ready,” he added.