An Abuja High Court on Tuesday adjourned to July 17, hearing of a suit filed by Sen. Bukola Saraki (PDP-Kwara) against the ACN gubernatorial candidate in 2011, Dele Belgore (SAN). Saraki instituted a N5 billion defamatory suit against Belgore over a publication in a national newspaper.

In a writ of summons by counsel to Saraki, Mr Festus Keyamo, said that Belgore caused the defamatory statements to be published in a national daily (This Day) of July 15, 2011.

''The said publication contained very damaging, disparaging and invidious statements concerning my client, through innuendoes and direct language.

''Consequent upon the foregoing, we have our client's instructions to demand from you N5 billion as damages for the irreparable harm your publication has inflicted on our client's image as well as that of his family."

Justice Abubakar Umar adjourned further hearing in the suit after counsel to Belgore, Mr Biodun Ogundipe, informed the court that Saraki and his counsel were absent.

Ogundipe said there was no letter from either Saraki or his counsel (Keyamo) giving reasons for their absence from court.

He said that Saraki and his counsel were aware that Thursday was set as the date for the hearing of the suit when they filed it on Jan. 18.

Justice Umar then fixed July 17 for hearing and ordered that notices be issued to Saraki and his counsel to remind them of the new date.