The ruling on the bail applications of five supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara from Rivers State, who are facing terrorism charges, has been delayed at the Federal High Court in Abuja due to their absence. Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald, and Ochueja Thankgod did not appear in court on Monday, and no legal representatives were present to provide explanations to Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon regarding their absence.
Surprised by this turn of events, the Judge postponed the delivery of the ruling until the defendants could be brought before the court by officials from Kuje Prison in Abuja. Justice Olajuwon, who had previously set today for the court’s decision on whether to grant them bail, awaits the arrival of the defendants as of the latest report.
The Judge arrived at this decision after hearing arguments from lawyers representing the police, led by Simon Lough, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and Lukman Fagbemi SAN, who stood for the 1st and 2nd defendants in the case, among others. In the meantime, the five defendants remain in Kuje Prison until the court determines whether to approve their bail or not.