The trial of former Accountant General of the Federation (AG-F), Ahmed Idris, and three others over an alleged N109 billion fraud was delayed yesterday following the unavailability of a defense witness.
Idris was expected to open his defense in the trial-within-trial phase, which was initiated to determine the voluntariness of his extra-judicial statements. The defendant has alleged that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) coerced him into admitting certain allegations during interrogation.
The prosecution, which has closed its case in the trial-within-trial, called witnesses—primarily EFCC officials—who refuted Idris’ claims, maintaining that his statements were given voluntarily.
At the court sitting, Idris’ counsel, Kanayo Okafor, informed Justice Yusuf Halilu that the defense was unable to proceed as planned due to the absence of their key witness, Ituen Odudu Abasi, a lawyer who observed the recording of some of Idris’ statements. Okafor explained that Abasi was bereaved and could not attend the hearing.
Okafor requested an adjournment, which the prosecution counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, opposed. Atolagbe argued that legal precedent requires a defendant to testify as the first witness in a trial-within-trial, urging the court to direct Idris, who was present in court, to take the stand.
However, Okafor contended that his team had not prepared Idris for testimony and reiterated the need for an adjournment to allow for adequate preparation.
Justice Halilu granted the adjournment request and scheduled further proceedings for March 11, 2025.
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