The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the arraignment of Senator Andy Uba and his co-defendants in a N400 million fraud case until November 6.
The matter couldn’t proceed due to the absence of Justice Mohammed Umar, who was sitting in another division of the court. Uba and his co-defendant, Benjamin Etu, were supposed to take their plea, but the judge’s absence led to the adjournment.
The case involves allegations that Uba and others obtained money from businessman George Uboh by falsely claiming they could secure him an appointment as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for N400 million.
Uba’s lawyer attributed his absence to ill health, while the prosecution argued that his consistent absence showed disrespect to the court and stalled the trial.
The judge had previously threatened to issue a bench warrant for Uba’s arrest if he failed to appear in court, but Uba’s lawyer pleaded for more time to allow his client to present himself. The prosecution plans to call six witnesses to testify against Uba and Etu.
