The Federal High Court, Abuja,
has fixed May 21 to rule on the bail application filed by Bright Chimezie, the
first defendant, in the ongoing trial of four members of the Indigenous People
of Biafra, (IPOB).
Igwe asked the court to grant his
client bail on the grounds that he had overstayed in detention without trial,
adding that his client had already been granted bail by an Uyo Federal High Court,
which the Federal Government disregarded.
He maintained that his client was
eager to see how the prosecution would prove their case against him and to this
effect, granting him bail would not jeopardise the trial in anyway.
He said that his client would not
temper with the case and would attend court to defend the charge against him.
Aromosele opposed the bail
application, and urged the court to dismiss it.
Counsel to the second to fourth
defendants, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi, also
argued the bail applications on behalf of their clients.
Mr Eric Ifere, counsel to
Onwudiwe prayed the court to grant his client bail on the grounds that the
constitution provided that accused should be granted bail if trial did not commence
within two months.
“The defendant has been in
detention for close to two years and except where Section 162 is applicable,
which passes the onus to the prosecution to prove that if granted bail, the
defendant will temper with justice.
“They are also to prove that the
defendant will jump bail and not attend court and they can only prove this with
evidence placed before the court.”
Mr P. Ejiofor, counsel to
Madubugwu, on his part, prayed the court to grant his client bail on health
grounds.
He further prayed the court to
grant his client bail on the grounds that he had stayed long in detention,
adding that there was no objection to the application for bail.
“One of the reasons we want the
court to consider is the health of the defendant whose medical records are
before the court and medical experts have recommended that he needs further
medical care beyond the walls of the prison.
“Also, the time he has spent in
detention is almost equal to the amount of time stipulated as punishment for
one convicted of the crime he is charged for.”
The prosecuting counsel, however,
asked the court for time to enable him respond to the bail application of the
second to fourth defendants.
The defence team had also hinted
the court that they had an application challenging the competence of the
charges against the defendants.
Justice Nyako adjourned the
matter until May 21 to rule on the bail application of Chimezie and to allow
the prosecution respond to applications of the second to fourth defendants.
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