The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned the trial of Halima Buba, Managing Director of SunTrust Bank Ltd, until 26 November for continuation of trial.
Justice Emeka Nwite fixed the date to attend to other high-profile cases on the court’s docket. He also cited the recent recommendation of his name, and those of 11 other judges, by the National Judicial Council to President Bola Tinubu for appointment as Court of Appeal justices.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Buba and her Executive Director and Chief Compliance Officer, Innocent Mbagwu, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged $12 million fraud.
They were arraigned on 13 July 2025 and admitted to bail of N100 million each, with one surety each in the like sum. Justice Nwite also ordered that their international passports be deposited with the court registry.
When the case was called, Ogechi Ujam, counsel for the EFCC, told the court that the matter had been adjourned for a ruling on the commission’s motion seeking the revocation of Buba’s bail.
The application followed an alleged refusal by the bank’s managing director to appear in court for her trial after she was granted permission to travel abroad for treatment arising from alleged pregnancy complications. The commission had argued that, after the scheduled time for her return, Buba failed to comply with the court order.
Buba and her co-defendant, Mbagwu, were in court. Justice Nwite said events had overtaken the ruling, since Buba was present.
The EFCC’s lawyer and Johnson Usman, SAN, who appeared for Buba, agreed. Usman thanked the judge for the indulgence and told the court that Buba had given birth to two baby boys.
With the agreement of counsel, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until 26 November for continuation of trial.
NAN recalls that Suleiman Ciroma, the first prosecution witness, told the court on 17 July 2025 how $12 million was swapped in SunTrust Bank within 10 days.
Led in evidence by the EFCC’s lawyer, Ekeho, Ciroma identified Buba. He said he had never met Mbagwu in person but had spoken with him on the phone. He tendered a bundle of documents in support of his testimony and narrated how the defendants facilitated the release of the $12 million at branches of the bank in Abuja and Lagos State within 10 days.