Barring any last minute change, the former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jumoke Akinjide, alongside others will be re-arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos State, Nigeria, on June 11, 2019.
The former minister and others will be re-arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke who will now take over the adjudication of the case.
The defendants will be proffering answers to the N650 million fraud charge slammed against them by the Commission.
It would be recalled that Akinjide was first arraigned before Justice Sule Hassan, alongside two chieftains of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ayo Adeseun and Olarenwaju Otiti, on an amended 24 counts charge bordering on the alleged offence.
They had each pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail.
Trial had commenced before Justice Hassan, with witnesses being led in evidence, but mid way into trial, the case was transferred to another judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke.
When the case was called on Friday, the defendants were represented by Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), O.F.A Adeosun and Akinola Oladeji, while Mr U.U Buhari announced appearance for the EFCC.
Ayorinde then informed the court that he would require another date for arraignment of the defendants, as both him and the original prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, were appearing in another trial before a brother judge.
He told the court that the prosecutor had expressed his intention to be personally present for the arraignment, and on that premise, he urged the court to grant an adjournment.
His application was not opposed by other counsel and the court consequently, adjourned the case until June 11, for arraignment.
The defendants were re-arraigned on January 16, 2018, before Justice Hassan.
According to the charge, they were alleged to have received monies from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, in the build-up to the 2015 general elections.
The Money was said to have formed part of a total sum of 115 million dollars, allegedly disbursed by Alison-Madueke, to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential election.
