Trial Of Andoni Militants Suffers Setback

The anticipated accelerated hearing on the trial of the four Andoni born accused militant leaders in the state, George Adumu, Godday Samuel, Luke Samuel and Wellborn Isaiah standing trial on murder allegations before a state High Court presided over by Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill has suffered a temporary set back on Monday, as a result of the absence of the defence counsel to the accused persons, F. A. Osho SAN.

The case was initially scheduled Monday 26th March, 2012 for the accused persons to take their pleas on the charges brought against them before the court. However, counsel to the accused persons did not appear forcing the presiding judge to adjourned the case.

The accused persons George Adumu, Godday Samuel, Luke Samuel and Wellborn Isaiah are standing trial on a 15 count charges bordering on conspiracy to murder, murder and secret cult related cases between 2008/2010 in the state, especially the Andoni communities before Justice B. A. Georgewill.

The prosecuting counsel, Emmanuel Aguma Esq, a private prosecutor told the court that the absence of the defence counsel in the court was a calculated attempt to avoid trial, noting that the accused persons have been going about to attend other ancillary matters before other courts within and outside the state.

“They used a different counsel (lawyer) in a federal court in Umuahia and Port Harcourt. My lord they know where to get their counsel,” he stated.

The prosecuting counsel however applied for a hearing notice to be served to the defence counsel, through a motion which the court granted accordingly.

The accused persons had earlier told the court that the absence of their counsel in the court was because he was not aware of the date of the adjournment.

In  his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice B. A. Georgewill ordered the accused persons to be remanded in prison custody.

Justice Georgewill further directed them to inform their counsel  of the new date, adding that they cannot be tried without their counsel which according to him, the volume of their crime carries along with sentence if convicted.

The case was later adjourned to 23rd of April, 2012 for continuation.