LAGOS —The absence of two prosecution witnesses at a  Federal High Court in Lagos, yesterday, stalled the trial of a Chinese, Hong Dong Shen, charged with the forgery of Mama Gold Rice brand.
The accused is standing trial on a four-count charge bordering on forgery, fraud, unlawful possession and stealing.
When the case was mentioned, the prosecutor, Mr Daniel Apochi, informed the court that the prosecution witnesses were absent in court, recalling that they were informed of the case.

He, therefore, prayed the court for an adjournment, to secure the attendance of the witnesses in court.
The defence counsel, Mr Tokunbo Fayemi, raised an objection to the prayer of the prosecution, arguing that the matter had suffered a series of adjournments at their instance.
He also prayed the court for an order striking out the charge against the accused.
Yunusa again adjourned the case till March 28, at the instance of prosecution.