Posted by From George Oji in Abuja on
An Abuja Federal High Court presided over by Mrs. Murtala Binta Nyako yesterday directed that former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun, be produced in court to answer criminal charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commis-sion (EFCC).
‘Bring Balogun for Trial, Even on Wheel Chair'
, 07.26.2005
An Abuja Federal High Court presided over by Mrs. Murtala Binta Nyako yesterday directed that former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun, be produced in court to answer criminal charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commis-sion (EFCC).
Justice Nyako said Balogun should be brought to court on September 27, being the adjourned date for the matter even if it would require a wheel chair to so do.
'The accused person must be brought to court for his trial even if he is on a wheel chair," she said.
She also directed that the private hospital where the former police boss is currently recuperating after alleged assault by EFCC operatives should furnish her with Balogun's medical report.
She said it would no longer be permissible for Balogun to continue to shy away from trial on the grounds of ill-health, adding that the court must be fully convinced that his health is at risk before it would tolerate his absence in court henceforth.
Nyako gave these directives following Balogun's absence in court yesterday to hear the court's ruling on jurisdiction. The court was also expected to have ruled on whether or not Balogun should stand trial i.e. whether the EFCC has established a prima facie case against him.
She said that being a criminal trial, the law requires that Balogun must be present in court before the ruling would be delivered.
Balogun is currently facing two criminal charges preferred against him by the EFCC.
While the first one is a 50-count charge of stealing and money laundering involving about N13 billion at the Federal High Court Abuja, the second is a 92-count charge of gratification pending before an Abuja High Court. Balogun is contesting both charges.
The former police boss slumped in court on June 29, 2005 and was rushed to a private hospital based in the Maitama area of Abuja. He alleged that the incident was the result of his ordeal with EFCC operatives that manhandled and maltreated him in court when he refused to be taken into the commission's custody that day.
Balogun had since then remained in the hospital despite efforts by EFCC's counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, to convince the court to order his transfer to the National Hospital.
The former police chief has consistently opposed that move claiming through his counsel, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, that it was wrong for EFCC, responsible for his misfortunes to want to have him transferred to a government hospital noted for inadequate services.
Balogun's claims, according to EFCC, is a ploy to sway court and public sympathy on his side.
Justice Nyako had adjourned Balogun's trial twice at the instance of his counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), on account of his ill-health.