Justice Marcel Awokulehin of the Federal High Court, Asaba, again deferred ruling on the application brought by James Ibori’s counsel to quash the case brought against him by EFCC. Others standing trial with Ibori are Udoamaka Okoronkwo and Chiedu Ebie. Mr. Awokulehin was first billed to deliver the ruling early in November but deferred it.

At Friday’s sitting Mr. Awokulehin still announced that he had deferred ruling on the case till December 17. Earlier, Augustine Alegeh, who led 10 others in Ibori’s defence, told the judge that they were not aware of the circumstances which led to the adjournment.

“My Lord, we are not aware of the said circumstances you referred to. We are also concerned of the limbo in which the accused have found themselves.

“It will give victory to the oppressors if we keep adjourning this matter,” he said. But the judge said: “the circumstances have not shifted. I will still like to err on the side of caution.

“As far as the ruling is concerned, trials are not done in the pages of the newspapers. ‘To even discuss such matters in the pages of the newspapers is subjudice. “My not delivering the ruling today is not out of timidity. It will come. And until then, I rise,” he said.

Speaking to journalists after the adjournment, Alegeh said the defence still had absolute and unflinching trust in the judicial system.

“We believe that whatever occasioned the adjournment would be to the ends of justice,” he said.

When asked if he was not worried that the adjournment could be a means to pervert justice, he said “No, we are in court to do justice and not to pervert justice. “The judge has explained that he prefers to err on the side of caution, and we have to live with that and give him understanding.

“He is in full control of his court, and he must know why he is taking the step he is taking. It may look like it is a delay, but we are used to such matters happening in court.”

“So we prefer to trust the judge, have faith in the judiciary,” he said.