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Court Fixes Date For Allison-Madueke’s Arraignment

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An FCT High Court sitting in Apo has set October 3, for the arraignment of former Minister of Petroleum, Deziani Alison-Madueke, on five counts bordering on conspiracy and illegal act of accepting and giving gratifications.

The date was fixed, on Wednesday, following the absence of Valentine Ashi, trial judge, who was on another official engagement.

NAN reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had been granted leave to arraign the former Minister alongside ex-Chairman of Atlantic Energy Drilling Company, Olajide Omokore on February 25.

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However, counsel to the EFCC, Faruk Abdullahi, told the court on February 25, that the arraignment would not hold as Alison-Madueke and her co-accused were not in court.

He disclosed that the anti-graft commission had asked the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, for onward commencement of Alison-Madueke’s repatriation process from the United Kingdom.

Abdullahi also said the absence of Omokore was due to the commission’s inability to serve him with the court’s processes.

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The prosecutor, therefore, prayed the court for a further adjournment to enable the team to prepare.

Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN) Counsel to Omokore said his client was prepared to stand trial but that the right process to begin the trial must be adhered to.