TVC N. The Federal High Court Abuja will begin the N4.6bn money laundering charge against Governor Ayodele Fayose’s aide, Abiodun Agbele, today October 27.
Agbele along with Sylvan Mcnamara Ltd, De Privateer Ltd and Spotless Investment Ltd are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, had overruled Chief Mike Ozekhome, counsel to the defendants, who objected to the appearance of a new counsel in the matter.
Dimgba held that there was no sufficient reasons by the defence to stop the commencement of trial over the appearance of a new counsel.
He ruled that it was only the state that could challenge Shittu’s appearance in the matter.
The judge appealed to the prosecuting counsel, Wahab Shittu, to talk to the EFCC to release the defendant’s International Passport to the registrar of the court.
He said this would enable the court to make it available to the defendant after satisfying the court on the need to travel outside the country.
Dimgba adjourned the matter till Oct. 27 for hearing.
At the resumed sitting on Wednesday, Shittu told the court the matter was slated for trial and that his three witnesses were present in court.