Ndume
An Abuja Federal High Court Judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, on Thursday threatened to dismiss the criminal charge against Senator Ali Ndume.
Ndume is charged for allegedly sponsoring the Boko Haram sect.
Justice Kolawole had on December 19, 2011, made an order for accelerated hearing and adjourned till February 2, 7 and 14, 2012 for trial.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Thursday, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) was absent.
Mr. Cliff Osagie who stood in for her informed the court she was away on national matter.
He said a letter informing the court and the defense had been served.
He therefore asked for a short adjournment.
Mr. A. A Vangos, holding brief for lead defense counsel, Chief Rickey Terfa, expressed reservations but did not object to the request.
Osagie told the court that the DPP wanted a new date in the last week of February, instead of the March 6 and 7 which she reportedly asked for in the letter.
Surprised by the development, Justice Kolawole threatened to dismiss the charge and discharge the accused person if the prosecution was not prepared.
He wondered why law enforcement agencies are quick at arraigning accused but develop cold feet after the initial noise in the media.
He said to Osagie, "Tell the DPP that if she is not ready I will discharge the suspect and that will be the end of the matter.
"If the state is not ready to prosecute the accused person, withdraw the charges and go to another place."
"In view of the background of the last adjourned date, this will be an anti-climax. The national assignment which she is going to, or has gone for, was not even disclosed to our office.
"I am still wondering which other national assignment can actually prevent her presence in this court today.
"The case had earlier, with her consent, been adjourned to today and 7th February 2012, for trial.
"I have always expressed my displeasure with regards to applications for adjournment of criminal cases."
He went on: "A trend one has noticed from the bench is that the state is always so anxious, perhaps too nervous, to arraign accused persons in high profile criminal cases such as this with a lot of media blitz, but when it gets to the nitty gritty of the real trial, the excitement and eagerness wanes."
He added, "I have made the point to Mr. Osagie that this court is so flooded with many cases that it has no time, resources or energy, to spare for cases that are not to be prosecuted immediately.”

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news-update/35469-judge-threatens-to-dismiss-terrorism-charge-against-ndume.html

Is FG really serious?

The case will be dragged till when the public lose interest, then it will be dismissed ala bankole

No be Naija