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The N2.2 billion fraud case against Joe
Musa, former director general of the National Arts Gallery, was stalled
on Monday by the absence of the judge, Olukayode Adeniyi, at the
Federal Capital Territory High Court.

An officer of the court, who requested
anonymity, told the open court that Justice Adeniyi had commenced his
official leave. The move stalled further prosecution witnesses
testimonies on the case.

Mr Adeniyi was made a vacation judge in
August, when all the judges at the FCT judicial territory were on their
sabbaticals. All the cases listed for his hearing have been shifted to
further dates. Mr Musa’s case was adjourned to sometime between October
30 and November 4.

Case history

The Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) on January 29 instituted an eight-count charge
against Mr Musa and three other senior officials of the gallery. The
four were accused by Festus Chidi Orji, the gallery’s chief internal
auditor, of pocketing about N40 million meant for staff training.

The accused, who jointly pleaded not
guilty to any of the allegations, said that no funds were particularly
voted for staff training during Musa’s tenure. According to them, the
account books of the office under Mr Musa were kept clean for the first
time in the history of the organization.

Mr Musa said the allegations were baseless and orchestrated to replace him.

The other accused persons are: Olusegun Ogunba, director of finance;
Kweku Tandoh, director of research and education; Elizbeth Oparagu,
deputy director of administration and Chinedu Obi, special assistant to
Mr Musa.