The trial of Pastor Osagie Ize-iyamu, Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 19, gubernatorial election in Edo State and four others in the alleged N700 million fraud case filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was stalled on Thursday due to the absence of the trial judge, Justice Umar Garba.

The case was adjourned to July 7, 2020.

Pastor Osagie Ize-iyamu was also absent in Court, while his Counsel, Barrister Peter Uwadiae was present.

Counsel to the 3rd defendant, Pascal Ugbome, told journalists in Benin City, that parties in the suit picked the date.

The Court had on June 18, 2020, validated the corruption charges against the defendants and adjourned the case to Thursday, July 02, 2020, for further hearing.

Speaking on Thursday, Ugbome explained: “It is a normal occurrence in court activities. It is nothing unusual and nothing unnatural for the court to adjourn the matter. The court has said that their hands are full, and so they have to reschedule the matter according to their convenience.”

The former deputy governor of Edo State, Mr Lucky Imasuen, who is also joined in the suit, was seen in the company of Mr Washington Osifo in Court on Thursday.

Security presence was visible at strategic locations and in the court premises.

Read more===https://thestreetjournal.org/2020/07/n700m-fraud-judges-absence-stalls-ize-iyamus-trial/

They've started acting the script... As usual