Lack of Police Vehicle for Transport Stalls Sowore's Bail Hearing
The detention of online publisher, Omoyele Sowore may last a while longer as the case has now been transferred from the police to the office of the Department of Public Prosecution of the Justice Ministry.
This therefore stalled hearing on the bail application earlier scheduled for this Friday at 11 am.
Galaxy's Godfrey Eshiemoghie reports that coupled with the process of transferring the case file to the Justice Ministry, the defendant's lawyer, Marshal Abubakar told journalists at the Abuja Chief Magistrate Court where the matter is being heard that the police said they lacked a vehicle to convey Sowore and other defendants to court.
Chief Magistrate, Mabel Segun-Bello had maintained that she can not go ahead with the bail application hearing for the defendants in their absence, insisting they be brought to Court on or before 1 pm, being Friday.
Sowore and the four others are being held at the Force CID Area 10, Garki Abuja.
Abubakar said the failure of the government to produce his client will prompt him to explore other options.
But apart from the legal angle, a group of Sowore supporters gathered at the court premises chanting and singing as they demand his release.
It will be recalled that Omoyele Sowore and four others were arrested at Gudu area of Abuja on New Year's eve during a protest against bad governance.
The defendants face a three-count charge bordering on alleged criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly and public disturbance.