The absence of Justice Aliya Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court in Yenagoa yesterday stalled the trial of Yunusa Dahiru, who is standing trial on a five-count charge of criminal abduction, illicit sex, sexual exploitation and unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor, Miss Ese Oruru.

Justice Nganjiwa, it would be recalled, had adjourned the matter to yesterday (June 2, 2016) for hearing on the substantive suit, having granted the prosecution’s request to take the evidence of Ese Oruru in private.

The court did not sit as the trial judge, it was learnt, was away for a meeting.The court was to hear an application by the lead counsel to Yunusa, who before the case was adjourned to yesterday, had asked the court to vary the conditions for his (Yunusa Dahiru) bail, since he was finding it difficult to meet the conditions several weeks after he was granted bail by the court.

As early as 9:00 a.m., journalists and rights activists had gathered at the Federal High Court, Yenagoa, only to learn that the court will not be sitting.

Confirming the development, Kayode Olaosebikan, counsel to the accused, said he was not informed of the judge’s absence, adding that he was only informed of the development on his arrival at the court.

“We are here in the court for the hearing but unfortunately, the presiding judge is absent and from what we have been told, he is out of the state to attend a meeting. According to the information before us, a new date on the matter will be fix on Monday, June 6,” Olaosebikan said.

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