UPDATE ON THE TRIAL OF THE UNIUYO 44 ADJOURNED TO MAY AS ONE GOES INSANE OUT OF TRAUMA by Inibehe Effiong Esq
The ongoing farcical and oppressive trial of the 44innocent students of the University of Uyo who
were arbitrarily arrested from their hotels and on
the road on June 12, 2013 in responds to the
students demonstration in the school continued
today Wednesday 12th March, 2014 at High Court 7
Uyo, presided over by Hon. Justice Joy Unwana.
42 of the accused persons/students were present in
court while 2 were absent.
The trial judge almost
issued a Bench Warrant for the arrest of the
absentees but rescinded her intention owing to the
inability of the prosecution to show proof of
service.
issued a Bench Warrant for the arrest of the
absentees but rescinded her intention owing to the
inability of the prosecution to show proof of
service.
The University who is the Complainant was
again represented in court by one Barr I O Eze on
watching brief while the State was represented by a
lawyer from the Ministry of Justice. The students
were represented by their various lawyers
numbering over 20 while those without lawyers
were represented by one Barr. Theodore Williams
pro bono.
again represented in court by one Barr I O Eze on
watching brief while the State was represented by a
lawyer from the Ministry of Justice. The students
were represented by their various lawyers
numbering over 20 while those without lawyers
were represented by one Barr. Theodore Williams
pro bono.
Sadly, it was brought to the notice of the court that
the 34th accused person who has never attended
the trial before by name Ubong Anthony Linus, a
100 level student of the Department of Chemical
Engineering has gone insane. Reports has it that
the insanity started and was noticed in him by his
co-inmates while in prison. According to the very,
very poor mother of the insane student, his case
worsen soon after his released from prison.
Currently, he is being treated at a location I cannot
disclose here but it appears he is not responding
to treatment. Meanwhile, efforts are being made to
apply for the suspension of his studies.
the 34th accused person who has never attended
the trial before by name Ubong Anthony Linus, a
100 level student of the Department of Chemical
Engineering has gone insane. Reports has it that
the insanity started and was noticed in him by his
co-inmates while in prison. According to the very,
very poor mother of the insane student, his case
worsen soon after his released from prison.
Currently, he is being treated at a location I cannot
disclose here but it appears he is not responding
to treatment. Meanwhile, efforts are being made to
apply for the suspension of his studies.
Another very unfortunate episode of today's trial is
the revelation that the 6th accused person is not a
student of UNIUYO but of OAU and had to missed
his exams today to attend the trial in Uyo.
Provocatively again, the prosecution continued with
their lackadaisical attitude to the trial by seeking
adjournment thereby stalling the trial on the ground
that the lead prosecutor was ill.
This infuriated the no nonsense judge who
excoriated the prosecution.
the revelation that the 6th accused person is not a
student of UNIUYO but of OAU and had to missed
his exams today to attend the trial in Uyo.
Provocatively again, the prosecution continued with
their lackadaisical attitude to the trial by seeking
adjournment thereby stalling the trial on the ground
that the lead prosecutor was ill.
This infuriated the no nonsense judge who
excoriated the prosecution.
She said inter alia:
"If you people are not prepared to do this matter
you better ask the AG to enter a nolle prosequi...I
take exceptions to this...I think we should have the
interest of the accused persons at heart, it is very
annoying, it is very unfair..."
"If you people are not prepared to do this matter
you better ask the AG to enter a nolle prosequi...I
take exceptions to this...I think we should have the
interest of the accused persons at heart, it is very
annoying, it is very unfair..."
The judge ordered the counsel to the accused
persons to consolidate their representation and
appoint a lead counsel to address the court on
their behalf while others will just contribute before
the next adjourned date. She equally ordered those
of them that intend to apply for quashing of the
charges to do within 14 days from today while the
prosecution will file counter within 14 days thereafter.
Replies on point of law is to be filed within
7days after the counter had been filed.
Meanwhile, the court extended the bail for all the
accused persons owing to their good conduct in
attending trial. The case was then adjourned to May
8 and 12, 2014 for hearing to enable the students
attend to their exams which will start on 31th
March, 2014.
persons to consolidate their representation and
appoint a lead counsel to address the court on
their behalf while others will just contribute before
the next adjourned date. She equally ordered those
of them that intend to apply for quashing of the
charges to do within 14 days from today while the
prosecution will file counter within 14 days thereafter.
Replies on point of law is to be filed within
7days after the counter had been filed.
Meanwhile, the court extended the bail for all the
accused persons owing to their good conduct in
attending trial. The case was then adjourned to May
8 and 12, 2014 for hearing to enable the students
attend to their exams which will start on 31th
March, 2014.
The insane student is in dire need of assistance,
his background is of the poorest of the poor. We
therefore appeal to spirited members of the society
to come to his aid. In fact, the family cannot afford
medical expenses and has resorted to faith healing.
This is an emergency.
We equally appeal for more pressure to be exerted
on the Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State to drop
the trumped up charges as there is no indication to
that direction at present.
We equally appeal to more Public Interest Lawyers
to come to the rescue as many of the lawyers have
either withdrawn or threaten to withdraw from the
case owing to the inability of the students to meet
their financial obligations.
his background is of the poorest of the poor. We
therefore appeal to spirited members of the society
to come to his aid. In fact, the family cannot afford
medical expenses and has resorted to faith healing.
This is an emergency.
We equally appeal for more pressure to be exerted
on the Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State to drop
the trumped up charges as there is no indication to
that direction at present.
We equally appeal to more Public Interest Lawyers
to come to the rescue as many of the lawyers have
either withdrawn or threaten to withdraw from the
case owing to the inability of the students to meet
their financial obligations.
WE CRY FOR JUSTICE, WE CRY FOR HELP. Will you
assist us? Call us now.
assist us? Call us now.
Signed:
Mr. Inibehe Effiong Esq
(Lead Campaigner, Free UNIUYO 44 Campaign).
President Nigerian Students Rights Movement-
NSRM & Asst Secretary CLO AKS.
08065142135/07050470625.
inibehe.effiong@yahoo.com.
Mr. Inibehe Effiong Esq
(Lead Campaigner, Free UNIUYO 44 Campaign).
President Nigerian Students Rights Movement-
NSRM & Asst Secretary CLO AKS.
08065142135/07050470625.
inibehe.effiong@yahoo.com.
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