The planned arraignment of a former Federal High Court Judge, Justice Muhammed Tsamiya for alleged 200 million naira bribe suffered a setback on Friday, following the absence of the judge.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is accusing Justice Tsamiya of allegedly demanding for N200 million bribe from a politician, Nnamdi Orji, to influence the outcome of a matter before the election petition appeals sitting in Owerri.
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At the resumed trial today, counsel to justice Tsamiya told the court that his client traveled abroad for medical treatment, but the counsel to ICPC frowned at the submission, arguing that the accused had been properly served the notice of arraignment, and therefore had no valid reason for not being in court.
After hearing the arguments from both counsels, the trial judge expressed his displeasure with the action of the defendant, noting that he seemed to be taking the court for granted, and therefore warned the defence to ensure that he appeared in court on the next adjourned date of 5th July 2019 for his arraignment.
