Alleged N2.8bn fraud: Absence of defence counsel halts trial of former NAMA MD, Ibrahim Abdulsalami, others

Etim Effiong

The trial of Ibrahim Abdulsalami, a former Managing Director of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, and others for an alleged N2.8bn fraud before Justice Babs Kuewumi at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos could not continue today, Wednesday, October 20, 2021 due to the absence of a counsel representing one of the defendants.

Abdulsalam is facing trial alongside Nnamdi Udoh (still at large), Adegorite Olumuyiwa, Segun Agbolade, Clara Aliche, Joy Ayodele Adegorite, Randville Investment Limited and Multeng Travels and Tours Limited for conspiring to induce the agency to deliver the sum of N2.8billion to Delosa Limited, Air Sea Delivery Limited and Sea Schedule Systems Limited on the pretext that the money represented the cost of clearing NAMA’s consignments.

At the resumed sitting today, Rachel B, a lawyer who held the brief of Victor Opara, who is the counsel to one of the defendants, told the court that her principal was in Abuja “for his SANship programme.”

She also told the court that Opara had written a letter seeking an adjournment of the proceedings.

However, the prosecution counsel, Bilikisu Buhari-Bala, while not opposing the counsel’s request for an adjournment, told the court that she was not served with the letter written by Opara.

Justice Kuewumi, who came from the Ekiti Division of the Court to preside over the matter, frowned on Opara’s request for an adjournment.

The Judge warned that “such will no longer be entertained.” The matter was adjourned until December 8 and 9, 2021 for the continuation of trial.