Ex-FCT Abuja Minister with the press and NLF members inside Nigerian embassy in London. Photo: DARE LASISI

Court gives El-Rufai December date

BY IDRIS AKINBAJO

Former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El-Rufai, has consistently said he is returning home before Christmas to face charges of alleged corruption filed against him. Yesterday in Abuja, Justice Adamu Bello, of the federal High Court, OAU quarters, met Mr. El-Rufai's wishes midway, refusing to throw the charges off and ruling that the trial be continued.

Mr. El-Rufai is being charged along with Altine Jubrin, former director general, Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) and Ismaila Iro, former general manager of the same organisation.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it wants the former minister to answer to eight-count charge of criminal conspiracy and abuse of office while he served as minister.

The judge fixed December 8, 2009 for adoption of addresses by the counsel. This was after rejecting the motion of Mr. El-Rufai introduced by his attorney, Akin Olujimi, who told the court that it lacked the competence to hear the case.

When EFCC's lawyer, Adebayo Adelokun, told the court that the application could not stand because he only got the application two days earlier, Mr. Olujimi informed the court that he filed the application since August 8, 2009.

In a short ruling, Justice Bello said the application seeking to quash the charges lacks merit and demanded that Mr. El- Rufai be physically present for the trial in December.

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Reader Comments (3)

Posted by victor ,o on Nov 05 2009

yes, let el rufai be present to witness how he,ll be rubbished, bcos it,s pay back time

Posted by Rev Edoror on Nov 05 2009

This is a case of the hunter now the hunted. Both Rufai and Yar' Adua are not telling us the truth. They know why they are fighting

Posted by Mr Stingers on Nov 05 2009

The problem of the country is not comments making.Nigerians are being cojolled,the victims know their artrocities. Nigeria is not yet prepared to move towards the positive angle. Nigerians must be ready for truth else...........................