The absence of a key witness has stalled the hearing on the killings of 74 Police officers and 10 officers of the Department of State Security (DSS) who were allegedly murdered by the Ombatse militia in Alakyo Village of Nasarawa State.
74 police personnel and 10 personnel of DSS were allegedly murdered by the Ombatse militia in Alakyo village on 7th May 2013.
Addressing the High Court 1 on Wednesday in Lafia, Williams Akika, who stood in for the persecuting counsel said that the third witness was out of the country.
The prosecuting counsel, therefore, requested for an adjournment to enable them present the witness as soon as he returns.
On his part, Emmanuel Kuza, defense counsel expressed frustration over what he described, ‘undue delay’ by the persecuting counsel.
He said that the case had suffered unnecessary delay at the instance of the prosecution counsel.
He said that the defendants were in detention since 2013 with no cogent proof of their involvement in the Ombatse killings.
According to him, the prosecution counsel had only called two witnesses since 2013 and they opposed bail application of the defendants despite their deteriorating health conditions.
He appealed to the court to reconsider their bail application to enable the defendants, who are critically ill, take care of their health needs.
Justice Suleiman Dikko, Chief Judge (CJ) of Nasarawa state who is the presiding judge, adjoined the matter to November 4th for continuation of hearing.
The CJ also urged the prosecuting counsel to ensure that they present the witness unfailingly on the adjourned date.
