Rivers CJ Issues Fresh Warrant On Ojukaye

The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice I.A. Iyaye-Lamikanra, has issued a fresh production warrant on the embattled former Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Mr. Ojukaye Flag-Amachree to enable him appear in court to take plea on alleged murder charge brought against him.
Lamikanra also declared that her previous order remanding him in prison custody still subsists.
The State Chief Judge took the position at the resumption of trial of the accused, Monday, after listening to the arguments canvassed by both the prosecuting and defence counsels on the new motion for remand of Ojukaye by the prosecuting counsel led by Godwin Obla (SAN).
The prosecuting counsel had moved a motion seeking for a fresh remand order against the accused for the inability of the prison authorities to produce him in the court at Monday’s trial.
Obla also sought for adjournment from the court to enable the authorities concerned produce the accused on the new adjourned date.
However, in his submission, the defence counsel, Sabastine Hon (SAN) and D.O. Iziga (SAN), not satisfied with the new motions moved by the prosecuting counsel, opposed the request for a new remand order against the accused.
They were of the opinion that the accused was already in prison custody and as such, there was no need for another order from the court, adding that they were not opposing the adjournment sought.
The defence lawyers averred that it was not their responsibility to produce their client in court but solely the responsibility of the prison authority.
In a short ruling, the trial Judge, Justice I.A. Lamikanra held that her earlier order still stands.
She directed the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, E.C. Aguma (SAN) to ensure that the production warrant was served on the Federal Controller of prisons before the adjourned date.
She later adjourned the case to September 22 and 23, 2016 for plea and trial.