Ise-Oluwa Ige and Ikechukwu Nnochiri
2 December 2008
Abuja — Former Minister of State for Health, Architect Gabriel Aduku has gone before the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal to challenge his recall by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the purpose of facing trial alongside 11 others over alleged complicity in the expenditure of a controversial N300million unspent budget of the Ministry of Health.
He is begging the court to overrule the verdict of the Abuja high court which recalled him to face the trial he had earlier been discharged of.
Aduku, alongside two others, was recently discharged of the offence for want of evidence by the prosecution to nail him and was set free by the Abuja high court.
The two others, both on suspension, were the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Professor Simon Ogandi and the Director of Finance, Hanafi Mohammed.
Hearing was scheduled to commence in the appeal yesterday but for the absence of the presiding judge of the panel convoked to hear the case.
The presiding judge was said to be absent because he was bereaved.
The court had to adjourn hearing in the case till January 22, this year.
The Abuja high court had discharged Aduku and two others upon an application by EFCC's leading counsel, Mr James Binang on the account that there were no sufficient evidence to nail them.
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