The N 2. 2bn fraud trial of the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State , Ayodele Fayose , was stalled on Thursday due to the absence of the prosecution ’ s star witness , Musiliu Obanikoro.
The prosecuting counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Rotimi Jacobs ( SAN) , told the judge that Obanikoro, who was in court only on Tuesday testifying against Fayose , had been hospitalised.
Jacobs presented to the court a medical report from an Ikoyi hospital, stating that Obanikoro was unwell.
But receiving the report with misgivings , Justice Mojisola Olatoregun said it had better been genuine or the hospital and the doctor that issued it risked the loss of their licences , if the court verified the report and it was not genuine.
While adjourning the case till March 18, Justice Olatoregun said Obanikoro must unfailingly come to court , or risked being committed to prison for three months , “ so that he can be coming to court in Black Maria. ”
“ He must present himself before the court on the next adjourned date or be compelled to do so , ” Justice Olatoregun stressed.
Obanikoro is testifying against Fayose , who was his ally in the Peoples Democratic Party before he ( Obanikoro) decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Source: Punchng