FG files fresh charges against Sowore, Bakare

Omoyele Sowore, Convener, #RevolutionNow, and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare, were on Thursday arraigned by the Federal Government before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu on fresh charges.
Sowore and Bakare, however, pleaded not guilty to the amended two-count charge brought against them by the office of the Attorney General for the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the charges include: conspiracy to commit treasonable felony, contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004; and treasonable felony, contrary to Section 41(a) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, which are punishable under the same section of the Act.
At the resumed hearing, Justice Ojukwu struck out the seven-count charge earlier filed against the defendants, following an application by the AGF’s counsel, Aminu Aliyu, asking for the substitution of the previous charges with the new ones.
Alilu also brought forward the evidence of payment of the N200,000 fine imposed on the prosecution by the court.
However, when the AGF’s lawyer told the court that he was in the court with the witnesses to give evidence in the trial, the defence counsel, Abdul Mahmud, raised an objection on the ground that the full statement of the witnesses was yet to be served on them.
Mahmud argued that what the prosecution served on them was the summary statement of the four witnesses.
Mahmud stated that the video clips of the witnesses’ statement would be needed to prepare for defence.
He submitted that fundamental rights of the accused must be respected and must be given opportunity to see those evidence.
The lawyer insisted that since the prosecution had the witnesses’ evidence in tape, they must be played in the open court.
The judge then asked for a copy of the witness’ statement.
After perusing the summary statement, Ojukwu directed the prosecution to avail the defence the video clips and electronic materials as requested.
Aliyu in his submission said he would comply with the court’s directive and make them available to the defence team within two weeks.
The AGF’s lawyer also hinted that the witnesses would be called within five days.
Justice Ojukwu, after taking the arguments, adjourned the matter until March 11, 12 and 13 for definite trial.