From: Godwin Tsa, Abuja
There was a major setback in the trial of Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court over the sudden withdrawal of the lead prosecution, Charles Adeogun-Philips, from the case.
Adeogun-Philips was hired by the Federal Government, from International Criminal Court (ICC), to prosecute the case due to his experience in criminal matters.
He announced withdrawal from the case without giving any reason for the decision.
Daily Sun, however, learnt that the lawyer’s action may not be unconnected with lack of cooperation on the part of his client.
When the case was called, yesterday, Adeogun-Philips took the microphone and informed the court of his decision to withdraw from the trial.
Justice John Tsoho did however inquire on what informed the action of the counsel and also praised him for having the courtesy to physically come before the court to announce his withdrawal.
Immediately after the development, another lawyer from the prosecution team, Hajara Yusuf, announced her appearance as replacement for the ICC lawyer, to lead the prosecution.
She told the court that the prosecution was prepared for the day’s business which is the cross examination of the first Prosecution Witness and which the court obliged.
After her announcement, the prosecution witness (PW1), Chukwuebuka Linus was cross-examined by the lead defence counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN).
The witness informed the court that he believed the job he was contracted to do by the defendant was legitimate.
He also said he would not have accepted payment for his services if he had suspected the money were proceeds of crime, and added that he went ahead with the job after the defendant explained the sources of his money.
Asked if he reported Ngwuta to the police or any security agency, he said no.
While he told the court that he was arrested and detained for seven days, he, however, stated that he has not been charged with any offence.
Asked if he made any statement during his detention and how many, he said he only remembered making statements in the first and second day of his detention.
The matter has been adjourned to February 13.
