By Correspondent in Abuja.
The trial of Abubakar Abdullahi Sambo, former Director of Finance and Accounts at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), was stalled on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja due to his reported hearing impairment.
Sambo, who is facing trial for allegedly diverting N1.84 billion in public funds, was unable to proceed with the hearing after his counsel, Ishaka Dikko (SAN), informed Justice Musa Liman of his client’s deteriorating health condition.
Our correspondent reports that when the matter was called, Sambo entered the dock, but Dikko quickly addressed the court, saying the defence was not ready to proceed.
He explained that Sambo had been battling with significant hearing difficulties and could now only comprehend communication if it was written down.
Justice Liman asked if there was any medical documentation to support the claim. Dikko, however, apologized, stating that he had only been made aware of the severity of his client’s condition three days earlier and had not yet obtained a medical report.
Responding, the counsel to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Osuobeni Akponimisingha, said the prosecution had a witness present and was ready to begin the trial. Nonetheless, he did not oppose the request for adjournment.
Justice Liman adjourned the trial to November 6, 2025.
Our recalls that Sambo was re-arraigned before Justice Liman on January 28, 2025, on a three-count charge of allegedly diverting N1.84 billion for personal use while serving as Payment Finaliser on the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) platform at REA in March 2023.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and continues to enjoy bail under conditions earlier granted by Justice Bolaji Olajuwon.
Justice Olajuwon, who initially handled the case, had on June 24, 2024, granted Sambo bail in the sum of N200 million with two sureties in like sum.
The sureties were required to own landed property within the court’s jurisdiction and submit original Certificates of Occupancy to the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar.
They were also directed to present tax clearance certificates for the past three years along with passport photographs.
The matter was earlier adjourned to October 17, 2024, for trial, but was reassigned to Justice Liman, following Justice Olajuwon’s transfer to another division, prompting the case to start de novo (afresh).
According to the ICPC’s charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/209/2024), filed on May 10, 2024, Sambo is alleged to have authorised the payment of N1.84 billion in multiple tranches to six individuals,Henrrientta Onomen Okojie, Asuni Adejoke Aminat, Usman Kwakwa, Laure Shehu Abdullahi, Emmanuel Pada Titus, and Musa Umar Karaye,for a purported project supervision exercise, without requisite approvals.
The offences are said to violate various provisions of Nigerian law, including: Section 68 of the Public Enterprises Regulatory Commission Act (Cap P39, LFN 2004),Section 6(4) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 and Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000
Some of the alleged beneficiaries,Karaye, Titus, and Okojie,were separately arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite on a four-count charge each. Karaye and Titus were arraigned on June 13, 2024, while Okojie was arraigned on June 14. Usman Kwakwa also appeared before Justice Nwite on June 13 on a separate charge.
All four defendants were granted bail in the sum of N50 million each, with two sureties apiece in the same amount.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
