Another appeal in former labour minister's trial

ABU DHABI // The latest court to hear a case against a former labour minister accused of misdirecting more than Dh155 million of public funds has failed to resolve the lawsuit.

Defence lawyers are now appealing to the Federal Appeals Court after the Federal Primary Court rejected their argument that it was illegal to put a former minister on trial.

The lack of a law clarifying how ministers and top officials should be put on trial has meant the case has bounced between the Federal Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court and several primary and appeals stages with no court seemingly able to resolve it.

The case started when public prosecution decided to put the former minister on trial for his decision that a service fee for certificate accreditation should go to Emirates Post rather than the Foreign Ministry - a decision estimated to have cost the ministry Dh155,480,450. The manager of Emirates Post at the time is also on trial.

hdajani@thenational.ae