Posted by Punch on
Pandemonium broke out at the premises of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Friday as supporters of the leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of the Biafra (MASSOB),Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, protested against what they termed "the decision of the prison authorities to bring him to court naked."
Pandemonium broke out at the premises of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Friday as supporters of the leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of the Biafra (MASSOB),Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, protested against what they termed "the decision of the prison authorities to bring him to court naked."
Uwazuruike, and other suspects who are being tried for treasonable felony, were brought to court in a prison van with registration number PS 307A.
Judgment was billed to be delivered in their bail applications, but before their arrival, Justice Binta Muritala Nyako, had adjourned their case till Monday.
Though Uwazuruike, and his co-accused persons did not come down from the vehicle that brought them, our correspondent noticed that the MASSOB leader who wore only shorts had no shirt on.
This brought out a hot argument between the defence counsel, Mr. Kelvin Okoro, and the Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Salihu Aliyu, while his supporters sang protest songs within the court premises.
Okoro said that it was inhuman to have brought his client to court naked, threatening to petition the authorities of the NPS over the matter.
He said, "This is inhuman treatment. I will definitely petition the Nigerian Prison Service over this matter. These men are not criminals at all."
But, Aliyu in a swift reaction to the allegation, said that it was wrong to for anybody to believe that Uwazuruike was brought to court naked by the prison authorities.
"What stops them (the accused) from removing their shirts themselves? Government will not go to that extent of removing suspects' shirts. But if a prisoner decides to remove his own shirt, who will force him to wear it?
Also on Friday, the trial of the leader of Niger Delta Volunteer Force, Asari Asari Dokubo, was shifted to November 6 to enable the appeal court hear an appeal filled by the accused over the refusal of the trial judge, Justice Peter Olayiwola, to disqualify himself from the case.
SATURDAY PUNCH, May 06, 2006