The absence of Justice A. O. Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday stalled the trial of former Joint Task Force (JTF) commander, Major-Gen. Emmanuel Atewe.
He was accused of taking N35 million to a church using public funds.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Atewe along with former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General, Dr. Patrick Akpolobokemi, Kime Engonzu and Josephine Otuaga.
They were arraigned on an amended 22- count charge with Jaggan Limited, Jaggan Trading Company Limited, Jaggan Global Services Limited, Al-Nald Limited, Paper Warehouse Limited, Eastpoint Integrated Services Limited and De-Newlink Integrated Services Limited.
The prosecution said NIMASA, under Akpobolokemi, approved billions of naira to several military personnel, who were purportedly engaged to patrol the creeks to prevent pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering.
The funds, EFCC said, were allegedly diverted to private accounts through fraudulent means.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants conspired among themselves to defraud NIMASA of N8.5billion.
Justice Faji, who took over the case from Justice Saliu Saidu, was said to be away on official assignment.
Other previously assigned dates for the trial were vacated. The court’s registrars said the judge directed that the trial be fixed on a date in June.
EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, complained that June was a too far.
The trial was eventually fixed for June 19, 20, 27, 28 and 29.