Following the ongoing strike by the organised labour over the brutalisation of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, the trial of former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, on criminal charges of economic sabotage, abuse of public office and breach of trust was yesterday aborted at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The opening of the trial was forced to be put-off by the ongoing strike action of the NLC.
It was gathered that all the entrance gates were under lock and key by officials of the NLC monitoring and enforcing the strike action, and all lawyers and litigants were turned back at the main entrance gate by the Labour team.
A Registrar of the court, who craved anonymity, confirmed that Justice Hamza Mu’azu could not sit yesterday because of the effect of the workers’ strike.
Also, one of the lawyers in Emefiele’s defence team, Maxwell Opara, told the newsmen that the former CBN Governor had been told to stay home since the courtroom could not be accessed, adding that a new date would be obtained as soon as the NLC calls-off the strike action.
The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice had announced last week that Emefiele would be put on trial on November 15, despite the bail granted him by Justice Olukayode Adegbola Adeniyi, of the FCT High Court.
Counsel to the Federal Government and AGF, Oyin Koleoso, billed to conduct the trial, could not be reached as he was said to have been turned back at the Court gate by the striking workers.
Recall that, in a further measure to protest the brutality of Joe Ajaero, the NLC President by the operatives of the Nigeria Police, the Organised Labour, comprising the NLC and Trade Union Congress, (TUC), on Tuesday, ordered a shutdown of electricity and fuel supplies in Imo State, while also directing aviation workers to ensure that flights into and outside the state are suspended.
