Trial of Peace Corps commandant adjourned till May

The federal high court, Abuja, has adjourned the trial of Dickson Akoh, commandant-general of Nigerian Peace Corps, till May 8.

The court adjourned the case because Ahmed Aliko, prosecuting counsel, was absent.

Akoh is standing trial for a 13-count charge bordering on fraud. The police had earlier filed a 90-count charge against him.

The police also accused the commandant of extorting members of the corps.

At the court on Thursday, John Ochogwu, counsel of Akoh, said he is in receipt of a letter from the Department of State Services (DSS) which requested for an adjournment because the prosecuting counsel “is out of jurisdiction.”

Ochogwu also complained that the police have failed to comply with a court ruling to unseal the office of the corps which was locked up the day it was inaugurated in February 2017.

“We are in receipt of a letter written by the Office of the Department of State Security dated February 20, 2018. It is in effect an application for adjournment, the reason stated is that Ahmed Aliko (prosecutor) is out of jurisdiction.

“Beyond Mr. Aliko, they have had a number of prosecutors and any of them should have been in court today to proceed.”

After hearing Ochogwu’s submission, John Tsoho, the judge handling the case, adjourned the matter till May 8.