Absence of judge stalls trial of kidnap kingpin, Wadume, others

The absence of Justic Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, hindered the continuation of trial of kidnap kingpin, Bala Hamisu, popularly known as Wadume.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Nyako had, on July 1, after refusing to admit Wadume to bail, fixed Tuesday for trial continuation.

Although the prosecution and defence counsel, alongside Wadume and other defendants, were in court, the case could not proceed.

The court clerk gave counsel in the All matter July 13 for continuation of trial.

The judge had declined to grant Hamisu bail along with six others standing trial for kidnapping, possession of firearms and dealing in prohibited firearms, contrary to Section 27 (1)(a)(I) and (1)(b)(iii) of the Firearms Act.

Justice Nyako, refused to admit the defendants to bail on the ground that she had already ordered an accelerated hearing of the matter.

Nyako also ordered that the defendants should be moved from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the police to the Kuje Correctional Centre.

The authorities of the correctional centre were ordered to allow the defendants to have access to medical facilities as well as their lawyers.

The Federal Government on June 8, arraigned Wadume and six other on a 13-count charge, bordering on terrorism.

Related posts

24 Internet Fraudsters Arrested by EFCC in Edo

Over 150 People Rescued from Niger Boat Incident, Says NSEMA

Russia Takes Control of Vuhledar After Two Years of Ukrainian Defiance