The ongoing trial of the co-defendants of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, took another twist, when Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court (Abuja) on Wednesday, imposed a fine on the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami over the failure of the lead counsel to show up for the continual trial of Nnamdi Kanu’s four co-defendants. The AGF was fined to the tune of N200, 000.
Justice Nyako ordered that the N200, 000 be paid to the defendants before the adjourned date of March 17, for the inconveniences they suffered due to the absence of the lead counsel to the Federal Government, Mr Shuaib Magaji Labaran. The four defendants are Bright Chimezie, Chidiebere Onwudike, Benjamin Maduagwu, and David Nwaurusi.
When the matter was called at the day’s proceeding, no legal representation came for the federal government, however, as the judge was about to take adjournment, one Mrs Adewumi Aluko from the Federal Ministry of Justice came in and apologized, explaining that the federal government’s lead counsel was out of the country. She further informed the judge that two witnesses were in court but will not want to proceed in the absence of the lead counsel and sought an adjournment.
Her apology did not go down well with the judge who counseled the Federal Government to be more serious in the trial of the defendants, especially as the co-defendants, had through their lawyers complained about the hardships they suffered to raise funds for their transportation to Abuja