The convener of #RevolutionNow Protest, Omoyele Sowore whose trial was resumed on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 is set to be re-arraigned tomorrow, February 13 on fresh charges.
This was concluded after Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The court however, fined the Federal Government the sum of N200,000 for causing an adjournment of the trial of the Sahara Reporters publisher on frivolous grounds.
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.
READ ALSO: FG Orders Release Of Sowore, Dasuki
But Alilu opposed the application for the striking out of the charges.
He cited Section 396 (5) of Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2011 which he said grants parties in a criminal case to ask for an adjournment up to five times in the course of the trial, adding that the prosecution had yet to exhaust the five times.
Justice Ojukwu who described the prosecution’s request for the adjournment as frivolous and uncalled for, postponed the trial till Thursday but 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.
Sowore and co-defendant, Olawale Bakare, are facing trial over charges of a treasonable felony for organising the revolution now protest on August 5, 2019, which the government saw as an attempt to disrupt peace in the country.
Yetunde Adegoke
