He reminded that the matter was also listed on the cause list of the court on Nov. 18 and Nov. 23.
According to him, although the matter was not called on account of heavy workload on the court on those days, I did not see the defendant.
“I also make enquiry from court register whether the surety was in court but was informed he was not in court,” he said.
He said so far, three witnesses had been called in the trial.
Abubakar, who said Faisal failed to appear in court on June 24 without reasonable explanation, said Dan-Galadima on July 3 was not in court as well.
The lawyer, therefore, made three oral applications for an order for the revocation of Faisal’s bail, issuance of bench warrant against him pursuant to Section 184 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and for trial to continue in absentia pursuant to Section. 352(4) of ACJA.
He also applied for the issuance of summon against the surety and to show cause why he should not forfeit the bail bond in accordance with Section 179 of ACJA.
He argued that Paragraphs 4 and 5 of the affidavit of means deposed to by the surety affirmed that the legislator agreed that he would forfeit the bail bond if Faisal jumped bail.
“We submit that our application has met the requirement of Section. 352 (4).
“By virtue of this provision, the court has power and discretion to grant the applications,” he said.
Justice Abang, in his ruling, granted the EFCC’s applications.
According to him, the conduct of the defendant leave much to be desired.
He revoked Faisal’s bail, issued a warrant of arrest against him and granted the prayer for his trial in his absence.
The judge, who said that the court must hear from the surety why he was not in court for sake of fair hearing, ordered Dan-Galadima to appear before the court on Nov. 25 to show cause why he would not forfeit the bail bond since Faisal had jumped bail.
“Where the surety fails to attend court on Nov. 25, 2020, bench warrant will be issued for his arrest,” he held.
He adjourned the matter until Nov. 25 for trial continuation.(NAN)