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  • Court Fixes March 2 For Sowore’s Trial

    Court Fixes March 2 For Sowore’s Trial

    A Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja has fixed March 2 for the trial of Omoyele Sowore and four others standing trial for alleged criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly and inciting public disturbance.

    Chief Magistrate Mabel Segun-Bello fixed the date following an application for adjournment by the prosecutor, Edosa Samuel.

    The prosecutor predicated his application on the ground that he has just taken over the case on the advice of the director of public prosecution and needed time to study the case file in order for him to put his house in order.

    Lawyer to the defendants, Marshal Abubakar however objected to the prosecutor’s application for adjournment, urging the court to strike out the suit or in the alternative, order accelerated hearing.

    After listening to arguments for and against the adjournment, Chief Magistrate Segun-Bello ordered the prosecutor to serve the defendants with the proof of evidence within seven days as she fixed the March 2 for the commencement of trial.

  • [BREAKING] Sowore’s trial: Court awards N200,000 against FG for seeking frivolous adjournment

    [BREAKING] Sowore’s trial: Court awards N200,000 against FG for seeking frivolous adjournment

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday fined the Federal Government the sum of N200,000 for causing an adjournment of the trial of Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, on frivolous grounds.

    Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu who described the prosecution’s request for the adjournment as frivolous and uncalled for, postponed the trial till Thursday.

    She warned that the proceedings would not continue if the prosecution fails to present evidence of the payment of the N200,000 to the defence or come to court with the cash on Thursday.

    She condemned the late filing of amended charges and service of same on defence in the open court on Wednesday.

    The judge also expressed dissatisfaction with the prosecution’s failure to serve all the necessary documents as ordered by the court over seven weeks ago.

    The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Kayode Alilu, from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, had explained to the court that the amendment of the charges followed the taking over of the case from the Department of State Services in December.

    He asked for an adjournment to effect the service on the defence.

    Defence lawyer, Mr. Olayinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), contended that the prosecution were not prepared for trial and urged the court to strike out the charges.

    He said the prosecution’s request for an adjournment was frivolous and an indication of their lack of diligence in the prosecution of the case.