Date Published: 07/14/09

Judge's absence stalls Ibori's money laundering case

The absence of Marcel Awokulehin, the presiding judge on Monday, stalled the resumed hearing of the money laundering case against James Ibori, former Delta State governor at the Federal High Court, Asaba.

The matter was adjourned from June 4 to July 13, by Justice Awokulehin to enable the second accused person, Udoamaka Okoronkwo, to appear alongside the former Delta governor. But at the resumed hearing on Monday, neither the Judge, Ibori nor Okoronkwo, were in court, though the matter was listed as the second item on the cause list.

But Ibrahim Isyaku, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the prosecutor, told the court then that Mrs Okoronkwo could not be docked because she was on trial in a British court.

He also asked and obtained further adjournment from the court to enable the agency to complete the process of having Mrs Okoronkwo in court.
Joseph Daudu (SAN), who led Mr Ibori's defence, did not object to Isyaku's prayers.

He also told the court that Mrs Okoronkwo had consented to her extradition from Britain to face the charges in Nigeria.