Sowore and Bakare are being tried before the court on a treasonable felony charge filed by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF, in relation to their involvement in the #RevolutionNow protest.
At the mention of the case around 1pm on Thursday, both defendants were absent, following which their lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, told the court they were on their way.
Abubakar also told the court that his office wrote a letter to the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar for an adjournment of further proceedings in the case till date after the Easter vacation.
He said a copy of the letter was sent to the AGF.
“My lord, it is a letter dated and filed on January 29 and addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court
“As your lordship is aware, on the 25th day of January, this matter was billed to go on trial and we were ready and in court. However, owing to the demise of Justice Watila of Abeokuta division, the court could not proceed.
“It was hoped that if the proceeding had gone on, we would have informed your lordship that today’s date would not be convenient for the defence,” Abubakar said.
When asked by the judge why the defendants were absent in court, Abubakar said they were on their way.
Lawyer to the prosecution, Aminu Alilu, observed it was “very shocking and alarming the court for the second time will be waiting for these eminent defendants.”
Alilu noted that the court had once awarded a N200, 000 fine against the government for being tardy.
He added: “Now, the table has turned. Section 266 of ACJA (Administration of Criminal Justice Act) provides that a defendant shall be present in court during the whole of the trial except.
“It is an affront to this honourable court for them to stay away and still said they are on their way.”
Alilu noted that the defendants provided no reason for their absence, noting that his witness, who was present in court, came from outside the court’s jurisdiction.
He urged the court to revoke the bail granted the defendants and invite their sureties to show cause why they should not forfeit the bail bond they signed.
Alilu equally asked the court to award a cost against Sowore and Bakare for their conduct.
Before the judge could rule, Sowore strolled into the courtroom.
Ruling, Justice Ojukwu said she was displeased with the defence’s posture towards the proceedings.
The judge noted that she would not condone any action that could delay proceedings in the trial.
She initially awarded N100, 000 cost against Bakare, who was not in court but added N50, 000 when Alilu pointed out, among others, that Bakare’s absence without any cogent reason was deliberate disrespect to the court.
The judge then adjourned till April 20 for continuation of trial.
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