The Federal High Court in Abuja has threatened to strike out terrorism charges brought against four defendants who allegedly kidnapped and killed the traditional ruler of Amanze-Obowo autonomous community in Imo state, Eze Basil Njoku.
The four defendants are Jude Iheme and Chika Madukwe, Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke.
Justice Binta Nyako issued the threat Monday following the absence of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, in court.
The AGF is expected to lead the prosecution of the defendants in the matter.
At the Monday’s proceedings, the defendants were initially billed for arraignment by 9.am but it was stood down for 12noon due to the non-appearance of the AGF or his representatives in court.
Again, at 12noon, when the arraignment was to hold, the AGF and his representative did not appear or communicate to court, a situation that prompted the judge to invite lawyers to the defendants into her chambers and later adjourned the matter to April 30th.
At the last adjourned date, the AGF was represented by David Kaswe, a lawyer from the Federal Ministry of Justice, who took over the prosecution of the defendants from the Inspector General of Police IGP, the imitator of the trial.
Kaswe had told the judge that the AGF invoked section 174 of the 1999 Constitution and section 105 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) to assume trial of the defendants.
The AGF’s office at the last adjourned date told the court that the IGP had been directed to make the case file available to his office.
While the proceeding was ongoing, the lead counsel to the defendants, Solomon Akume, SAN, had applied for dismissal of the terrorism charges.
However, Justice Nyako opted to give the AGF another chance to lead a diligent prosecution.
