A drama of some sort ensued during the trial of former Deputy Director at the Police Pension Office, John Yusufu, on Monday, as the accused, who is standing trial before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, slumped during court proceedings.
The trial judge, Justice Adamu Bello, however, adjourned till April 22 to allow the accused to get medical attention. It will be recalled that Yusufu was last month remanded in kuje prison pending the determination of his bail, application. His counsel, Theodore Mayaki, had earlier applied to the court to grant his client bail pending the hearing and determination of the charge against him.
However, prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, urged the court to deny the application and allow Yusufu to remain in custody pending trial. In a counter affidavit opposing the application, he said Yusufu had been convicted previously for criminal breach of trust and it would be in his interest to be kept in custody to prevent the possibility of him being mobbed by aggrieved members of the public.
He added that Yusufu would interfere with investigation and was most likely to jump bail, considering the fact that he would no longer be in the employment of the Federal Ministry of Works after the conclusion of the procedure to relieve him of his appointment.
Having been asked to walk free after a payment of N750, 000 fine, Yusufu had been taken back to court by the EFCC on the allegations that he had knowingly failed to make full disclosure of his assets in the declaration of assets form which he filled last February.
