Absence of judge stalls trial of kidnap kingpin, Wadume, others

The absence of Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, hindered the continuation of trial of kidnap kingpin, Bala Hamisu, popularly known as Wadume.

Justice Nyako had, on July 1, after refusing to admit Wadume to bail, fixed Tuesday for trial continuation.

Although the prosecution and defence counsel, alongside Wadume and other defendants, were in court, the case could not proceed.

The court clerk gave counsel in the matter July 13 for continuation of trial.

NAN reports that the judge had declined to grant Hamisu bail along with six others standing trial for kidnapping, possession of firearms and dealing in prohibited firearms, contrary to Section 27 (1)(a)(I) and (1)(b)(iii) of the Firearms Act.

Justice Nyako refused to admit the defendants to bail on the ground that she had already ordered an accelerated hearing of the matter.

Nyako also ordered that the defendants should be moved from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the police to the Kuje Custodial Centre.

The authorities of the custodial centre were ordered to allow the defendants to have access to medical facilities as well as their lawyers.

NAN reports that the Federal Government of Nigeria, on June 8, arraigned Wadume and six other on a 13-count charge, bordering on terrorism. (NAN)