PRESS RELEASE TRIAL OF THE UNIUYO 44 ADJOURNED TO MAY AS ONE GOES INSANE OUT OF TRAUMA. The ongoing farcical and oppressive trial of the 44 innocent 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 The trial judge almost issued a Bench Warrant for the arrest of the absentees but rescinded her intention owing to the inability of the prosecution to show proof of service. 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. 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. Another very unfortunate episode of todays 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. 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... 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 thereafter. Replies on point of law should 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. WE CRY FOR JUSTICE, WE CRY FOR HELP. Will you 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.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 05:21:29 +0000
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