Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, Tuesday warned counsel appearing before her against engaging in conduct capable of stalling proceedings and threatened to invoke contempt charge when necessary.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, in a press statement in Abuja said the warning came during proceedings in a matter involving the Commission and a former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGG) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, over properties linked to him.
At the hearing, counsel to the EFCC, J.S. Okutepa, SAN, informed the court that he had earlier received a call from lead defence counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, notifying him of his engagement at the Court of Appeal on time-sensitive matters and indicating that a representative would attend with a letter to that effect.
“My Lord, I came and met the letter which was given to us, showing that he is before the Court of Appeal in two matters involving the PDP. But before then, My Lord, I had written to the learned senior counsel expressing my profound displeasure over the manner we have been treated in this matter,” Okutepa said.
In her response, Justice Abdulmalik stated the need for strict compliance with court directives, adding that the interim forfeiture order had been published for 14 days to enable interested parties to show cause.
“My directive is that this interim forfeiture was placed in a newspaper for fourteen days for parties to show cause. I am going to give a definite date for hearing. Any counsel whose processes are not in will be deemed to have shut himself out,” she said.
The judge further warned against any form of misconduct in court, stating: “If you are not satisfied with my decision, you can approach the appellate court. But at the next adjourned date, this matter will be heard. If your processes are not filed, they will be deemed abandoned.”
