The trial of Ali Bello (relative of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello) and Dauda Suleiman for alleged theft and money laundering was halted on Tuesday due to a sudden allegation from a prosecution witness that he was feeling ill.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Bello and Suleiman on ten counts.
The prosecution called its third witness, Rabiu Musa, who claimed to be an Abuja-based bureau de change operator.
Musa was brought into evidence by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), who presented two record books to the witness.
The witness claimed to be acquainted with the defendants, but he could not recollect specifics of his interactions with them.
Musa denied knowing one Hudu’driver, whose name appeared in one of the record books shown by the prosecution as Exhibit G.
The witness, who claimed he could not speak English and couldn’t read or write, testified through an interpreter who translated his testimony from Hausa to English.
Midway through his statement, the witness got uneasy, causing the court, Justice James Omotosho, to inquire as to the source of the difficulty.
Musa responded by saying he was feeling poorly and had developed high blood pressure, prompting the judge to inquire again whether he needed time.
At one point, the judge requested a court official to bring water for the witness, and a bottle was handed to him.
The witness drank from the bottle and then requested that he be given some time, which the judge granted.
The judge advised him to take the time to care for his health and familiarize himself with the transactions that he claimed his lads logged for him in the presented record books.
Justice Omotosho then delayed the trial until February 13, 22, and 23 for continuation.
Z. E Abass represented Bello (the first defendant), while Nureini Jimoh (SAN) represented Suleiman (the second defendant).