Prosecution Seeks Adjournment in Dokpesi’s Trial

• Lack of interpreter stalls Suswam’s trial

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja
The trial of former Chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, Raymond Dokpesi, was stalled due to absence of the prosecution counsel,
Rotimi Jacobs (SAN).

When the matter came up yesterday, the defence counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) told the court that shortly before the court sitting, he got a letter indicating that the prosecution counsel.”
Jacobs sought an adjournment to enable him appear before the Supreme Court.

Olanipekun however urged the court for enough time to enable the EFCC counsel to adjust its other cases which were running on daily basis.

The trial judge, Justice James Tsoho, graciously adjourned till June15.
The trial was also previously adjourned at the instance of the prosecution counsel having filed an additional prove of evidences.

Dokpesi is facing trial over alleged N2.1 billion fraud. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Meanwhile, the inability of the federal government to get an interpreter for one of its witnesses yesterday stalled the trial of former Benue State Governor, Mr. Gabriel Suswam, in the N10billion alleged fraud charges brought against him.

The Federal High Court in Abuja where Suswam being prosecuted, is stunned when the fourth prosecution witnesses informed the court that he was an illiterate and did not understand English, the language of the court.

However, all efforts on the part of the prosecution to get an interpreter to interpret in the local language of the witness proved abortive.

The prosecution counsel, Adebisi Adeniyi, eventually applied to the trial judge, Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed to adjourn the trial till today to enable him source for a competent interpreter.
The defence counsel led by Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN) did not object to the request for adjournment but urged Justice Mohammed to adjourn the matter till May 5, 2016 so as to give the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ample opportunity to get necessary interpreters.
Justice Mohammed in his brief ruling, agreed with the defence counsel and adjourned hearing in the matter till May 5, 2016.