MARY UKAEGO PETER-ODILI, J.S.C. (Delivering the Lead Ruling): This first motion was filed on the 10th March, 2017 wherein the appellant/applicant seeks an order of this Court setting the appeal for hearing on the appellant's brief of argument alone, the respondent having willfully neglected to file and serve the respondent's brief of argument.
The grounds for this application are:
(a) The time within which to file and serve the respondent's brief as required by the 2013 Practice Directions of the Supreme Court has lapsed.
(b) This appeal involves the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission whose appeals are to enjoy expedited hearing in this Honourable Court.
The application is supported by a six (6) paragraph affidavit deposed to by Okparaki, Legal Practitioner in the Law Firm of E. B. Ukiri and Co.
The appellant's brief of argument in the appeal was filed on 19/10/2013.
The respondent filed a Counter Affidavit deposed to by Chinedu Ogbu, detective with the respondent. It is a counter aff…