The absence of the second defendant in the alleged N2.2 billion corruption case filed against the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mr Ahmed-Gambo Saleh, on Thursday stalled his arraignment in an FCT High Court, Abuja.
The Federal Government had on November 4 slammed a nine-count corruption charges against Saleh, Muhammed-Abdulrahman Sheriff, the Director of Finance and Rilwanu Lawal, the Chief accountant of the apex court.
They are all charged with conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and accepting gratification as public officers.
The defendants are also accused of diverting the sum of N2.2 billion belonging to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, between 2009 and 2016, to their personal banks accounts domiciled with the United Bank for Africa Plc.
The offence is in contravention of Section 10(a) (i) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and punishable under the same Section of the Act.
The defendants are also charged with contravening the provision of Section 96 of the Penal Code Act.
They allegedly obtained gratification totalling N80 million, contrary to the ICPC Act.
The Federal Government also alleged that the defendants obtained N2.4 million gratification from Welcon Nigeria Ltd, N16 million from Dean Musa Nig. Ltd and N19 million from Ababia Ventures Ltd, all private contractors who provided services to the apex court.
Their arraignment before Justice Abba-Bello Mohammed of the FCT High Court, Jabi on Thursday was, however, stalled due to the absence of Sheriff, the second defendant.
Mr Garba Tentengi, Sheriff’s counsel, informed the court that the second defendant was indisposed and presently on a sick bed at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada.
Justice Mohammed adjourned re-arraignment of the defendants to December 15.
