Trial of Pastor, Osagie Ize-Iyamu and four others in an alleged fraud case has been adjourned till July 7 by a Federal High Court sitting in Benin, on Thursday.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) a Governorship candidate of the in the September 19 contest for the seat of Edo Governor, Ize-Iyamu and four other accused are standing trial for charges bordering on an alleged N700 million money laundering case filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Ize-Iyamu and four others were supposed to appear on Thursday before Justice M.G. Umar today, Thursday.
According to Premium Times, there was no court sitting, but it was observed that some of the defendants and counsels were around the premises.
Premium Times further reported that while speaking to journalists, counsel to one of the accused, Barrister Pascal Ugbomhe, said the case had been adjourned till July 7.
While It was reported that the counsel did not specify the reason why the court sitting was adjourned, Ugbomhe said, “it is a normal occurrence in court duties. It’s nothing unusual to adjourn matters.
In its last sitting in Benin on June 18, the court had validated the corruption charges against the defendants and adjourned the case to July 2, for further hearing.
The four other defendants in the suit include former Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Dan Orbih; the state chairman of the party, Tony Aziegbemi; former Deputy Governor of Edo State Lucky Imasuen, and Efe Erimuoghae-Anthony.
The EFCC, in Suit No. FHC/BE21C/ 2016, had filed eight count charges against the accused persons bordering on alleged illegal receipt of public funds to the tune of N700 million for the purpose of the 2015 general elections.
The EFCC further accused the defendants of conspiring among themselves to commit the offence in March, 2015, alleging that they took possession and control of the funds without any contract award.
