A Federal High sitting in Lagos on Thursday summoned the former Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr. Olufemi Martins Thomas, who is standing trial for an alleged N2.1billion fraud.
Justice Ayokunle Faji made the order following Thomas’
absence at the resumption of proceedings in the case on Thursday.
Thomas is standing trial alongside Kabiru Sidi, a Bureau De
Change operator, on an amended seven-count charge bordering on money laundering
brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The matter has suffered several adjournments since March 30,
2020 when the court dismissed Thomas’ no-case submission and ordered him to
open his defence.
At the commencement of proceedings yesterday, Thomas’ counsel
Kunle Gbolahan was in court, but the second defendant’s lawyer was not.
An angry EFCC counsel Mr. Ekele Iheanacho, who noted that the
day’s proceedings was for the 1st defendant to open his defence, blamed the defence
for the several delays in proceedings.
According to the prosecutor, the defendants seemed to always
come up with one reason or the other to abort proceedings.
He lamented that he had to travel to and fro Abuja for each
court date, accusing the defendants of holding everyone to ransom.
He stated that he would have applied for the revocation of
the defendants’ bail, but for the explanation of the counsel to the 1st
defendant who approached him in the morning explaining that they were not aware
of the day’s trial date.
He threatened to make a formal application for revocation of
the defendants’ bail and issuance of bench warrants for their arrest on the
next adjourned date of 24th November 2021.
Defending himself, counsel to the 1st defendant apologised to
the court for Thomas’ absence, adding that he was only aware of the 24 and 26th
November dates and not the day’s proceedings.
Responding, the Judge warned the defendants not to take the
court for granted.
He said the court would issue a summons to be served on the
defendants for the next hearing date adding that their failure to attend court
would leave the court with no other choice than to revoke their bails.
The court directed the prosecutor to serve the defendants
with the summons and adjourned till December 3, 2021.
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