Abia State High Court, sitting in Umuahia, has adjourned till February 16 a N1.5 billion defamation suit filed by ex-Gov. Theodore Orji against a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Prince Benjamin Apugo.
When the matter was called up for hearing, the plaintiff was represented by his counsel, Chief Henry Balogu, while the defendant was absent, and no counsel appeared for him.
The trial judge, Justice A. O. Chijioke, observed a delay in the process that had been filed since 2020 and ordered that the defendant must appear in court on the next adjourned date.
He said that trial would begin on the next adjourned date, with or without the presence of the defendant.
The trial judge directed the Clerk of the Court to re-present the appearance notice to the defendant for him to appear on the next adjourned date.
He said that trial would begin on the next adjourned date, with or without the presence of the defendant.