The trial of four muslim clerics charged with N43 million fraud was on Monday stalled due to the absence of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Lagos

The accused– Jimoh Kadiri, 61; Mohammed Ibrahim, 36; Mohammed Isah, 29; and Ojo Ogunlade, 30; –are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and fraud.

They had however, pleaded not guilty to the charges against them, and were granted bail by the trial judge.

At the resumption of the case, which was fixed for continuation of trial, the court registrar informed parties that the judge was attending a conference.

He said that that the court would communicate a new date to parties in the case.

The accused were first arraigned on 30 August, 2013.

In the charge, the accused were alleged to have obtained N43.5 million from Mrs Basirat Akinbisehin, on the pretext that they could cure her daughter’s ailment.

The representation was said to be false as the child never recovered from her illness in spite of fervent prayers offered by the accused.

At the last adjourned date in July, Akinbisehin told the court how the accused allegedly swindled her of various funds on the guise of consulting with the “spirits”, to heal her sick child.

The offences were said to have contravened the provisions of Sections 1(a), 3 and 8 of the Advanced Fee Fraud Act, 2006.