Twenty three officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC who allegedly received three hundred and sixty million naira bribe from Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike for the December 10th rerun election in the state have appeared before a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.
The INEC officials drawn from Plateau, Oyo and Anambra states who participated in the elections are standing trial for alleged corruption.The trial of the suspects was stalled because of the absence of two of the twenty three INEC officials from court on health grounds
Presiding Judge, Justice Hilary Oshomah, however, adjourned the matter to the 17th, 18th and 19th of July to begin the speedy arraignment of the officials.
Counsel to the first to the nineteenth defendants, Wole Balogun is not happy that Judge decided to continue with the trial during vacation period.
According to him, “We came here with the intent that the court will start the matter afresh but that is not even the case. After all our arguments the court decided to adjourn the matter to vacation period of the Judiciary.
“This is not favorable to us. I mean, it is a vacation we all deserve to have it.”
On his part, Prosecution Counsel, Saliu Kayode said there are plans by the defense to delay the matter.
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