Northern Nigerian Breaking News

A.A Zaura changes defense counsel as court adjourns for arraignment

By Muhammad Muhammad

All Progressives Congress (APC), Kano central senatorial candidate Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdulkarim Zaura well known as AA Zaura again appeared before the Federal high court sitting in Kano on Monday to defend alleged financial scam.

SOLACEBASE reports that Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Zaura for alleged US$1.3 million fraud following the judgement of court of appeal that ordered the fresh trial after the defendant was discharged and acquitted three years ago.

When the matter came up for arraignment on Monday, the defense counsel Ahmed Raji, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) however sought for adjournment of the matter to enable him study for process.

The court was informed by Basil Hemba, who stood in for Ahmed Raji, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) that the learned silk who is now in charge of Defense team missed his flight to Kano.

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Basil Hembe Esq said he took over the case only within a short notice,  as he appealed for ample opportunity to study the new brief in the interest of justice.

Hembe Esq further  requested orally for adjournment on the matter in tandem with the necessary provisions of the law.

Dissatisfied with the request of the new defense counsel, EFCC lawyer, Aisha Habib objected the oral application for adjournment, as she argued the request was deliberately intended to needlessly prolong the case.

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Although, the prosecution contended that EFCC was not objected to the change of defense counsel, she however argued that the defendant is allowed to take plea on arraignment with or without the presence of defense counsel, citing provisions of section 215 of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended to buttress her point.

” Looking at the process and circumstances sounding the trial, the case has been prolong owing to one excuses or the other of the defense counsel. I want to apply for a short stand out of the matter to enable new counsel go through the processes after which the arraignment can commence.” EFCC lawyer argued.

Responding to the prosecution’s argument, Justice Mohammad Nasir Yunusa asked parties to proof whether or not the provisions of order 29 rule 1 of professional conduct for legal practice that provides ample period of time for transition between old and new lawyers in a particular matter.

Justice Yunusa who posited that the rule which allows up to 30 days within which the new and old lawyers must resolve processes and serve notice of change in guard to the court, however overruled the objection of EFCC.

The court therefore adjourned the matter to 1st March, 2023 for arraignment.

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