By EDITH NWAPI

The trial of 20 former leaders of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) was stalled in a Federal Capital Territory (FCT), High Court due to the absence of a defendant, Adamu Ibrahim.

Ibrahim was said to be in custody at the Calabar Correctional Centre.

The former chairman, Lucky Osesua and others, are being prosecuted in the suit, marked: FCT/HC/CR/042/2023, before Justice Yusuf Halilu.

They were charged with attempted murder, breach of peace and assault.

Osesua was charged alongside Also charged with Osesua are Dayyabu Garga; Humble Obinna; Akinolu Olabisi; Godwin Nwaka; Tiamiu Sikiru; Abdulmimin Shaibu and John Amajuoyi.

Others are Adamu Ibrahim; Zaira Aregbo; Patrick Erhivwor; Stephen Ogheneruemu; Gift Ukponku and Sunday Ezeocha and seven others.

The defendants were alleged to have attacked the NUPENG National President, Mr Wiliams Akporeha; the Union?s Secretary-General, Olawale Afolabi and the new PTD National Chairman, Augustine Egbon, thus acting in a manner likely to cause death.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecution counsel, David Kaswe, informed the court that Ibrahim, was not present in court.

The lead counsel for all the defendants, Christopher Oshemegie , SAN, informed the court that Ibrahim was in custody at the correctional facility in Calabar, the Cross River.

He said he was told that the Ibrahim had a domestic issue.

He added that Ibrahim?s bail was being sorted out in Calabar.

Kaswe then told the court that the prosecution was ready to go on with the trial in the absence of the 19th defendant.

He urged the court to activate the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015 to proceed with the case in Ibrahim?s absence.

Justice Halilu, however, said that the court noted that at the last sitting, Ibrahim was present in court.

The judge said in the interest of justice, the 19th defendant should be given one last chance to appear for his trial, failure of which the court proceed with the matter in his absence.

Based on agreement of parties, Justice Halilu subsequently adjourned until May 19 for definite hearing. (NAN)

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