TheCable

The federal high court, Abuja, has adjourned hearing of a suit filed against the attorney general of the federation (AGF) by the Cable Newspaper Journalism Foundation (CNJF) to February 28.

The foundation had sued the AGF over his failure to respond to a freedom of information (FoI) request on the engagement of lawyers for the recovery of the $321 million stolen by Sani Abacha, former military ruler.

In the suit no. FHC/ABJ/CS/27/2018, the foundation is seeking an order of mandamus to compel the AGF to provide details on the impending repatriation of Abacha loot.

The foundation had sought to know the reason behind the engagement of another set of lawyers to do a job that had already been completed by Erico Mofreni, a Swiss lawyer engaged by Nigeria since 2000.

In 2016, Oladipo Okpeseyi, a senior advocate, and Temitope Isaac Adebayo, were engaged to do the job the Swiss lawyer had already done.

It also requested a copy of the 2014 agreement that led to the withdrawal of the prosecution of Mohammed Abacha, son of the late military ruler.

At the court on Tuesday, Gabriel Kolawole, the judge handling the case, adjourned hearing on the matter after it granted the foundation leave to apply for a judicial review.

The application was moved by Ayodele Kusamotu, counsel to the foundation.

Kolawole ordered the foundation to serve the office of the AGF the motion on notice within five days.

“The applicant shall with five days serve defendant motion on notice. This is pursuant to order 34, rule 3 paragraph 3,” the judge said.

There was no legal representation for the AGF at the court.

On the adjourned date, the AGF is expected to explain the reason behind his refusal to provide the information sought by the foundation at 11:50 am.