Counsel requests for new prosecutor
The trial of a dismissed Major in the Nigerian Army, Festus Welewa and two others at the Rivers state High Court took a new twist, when the state director of public prosecution applied to take over the case.
When the case was called up, Welewa and the two other suspects pleaded not guilty to the nine-count charge of kidnapping, assault, armed robbery and other offences against them.
During the court proceedings in Port Harcourt, Counsel to the dismissed Major, Higher King Onyeikwu pleaded to the Presiding Judge, Justice D.C Green to grant the request for the prosecutor of his client to step down and hand over the case to the State Director of Public Prosecution, Ibikiri Otoribio in accordance with section 174 of the constitution.
While the prosecuting counsel from the office of Inspector General of Police, Edet Essien opposed the plea by citing sections 174 and 122 sub-section 1(a) of the constitution.
Speaking with journalists after the hearing, Otoribio said the state application to take over the case is in order.
Counsel to the dismissed Major Welewa, Onyeikwu explained to journalists that he has no confidence and trust in the prosecuting counsel from the office of the IGP to handle the case.
On his part, Essien said the request is not in line with the law.
Justice Green, however, adjourned the case to 21st of February for hearing of bail application for the dismissed Major and whether or not to hand over the case to new prosecutor.
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