Nigeria, Jan. 28 -- We gathered that when the case was called before Justice Obiora Egwuatu, neither the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) nor Ojerinde had lawyers in attendance, leaving the courtroom high and dry.

With the prosecution and defence missing in action, Justice Egwuatu had no option but to push the matter forward, adjourning proceedings until March 25 for either a report of settlement or continuation of trial. The judge also ordered that hearing notices be issued to all parties.

The stalled hearing comes against the backdrop of an earlier move by both parties to explore an out-of-court resolution of the N5.2 billion case on July 16, 2025.

At a previous sitting, Ojerinde's lawyer, E...