The trial of Omoyele Sowore, Convener, #RevolutionNow, and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare will on Wednesday resume before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Although the hearing was earlier scheduled to begin today, Tuesday, but absence of the presiding judge stalled the trial.
At about 9a.m., Court 7 on the fourth floor of the building was empty aside from the court registrar and few workers doing their official assignment.
On the case list attendance, Sowore’s case with suit number: FHC/ABJ/CR/956/2019 was on item nine according to the serial number.
An inquiry by NAN on why the matter could not be heard today revealed that Justice Ijeoma was said to be sitting outside the court’s division.
Sowore and Bakare were on December 24, 2019, released from the Department of State Services (DSS)’s custody by the Federal Government.
Prior to this development, Justice Inyang Ekwo had, on December 17, 2019, fixed December 23, 2019, to hear from the DSS and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) why Sowore should not be released from custody.
Sowore, through his lawyer, Falana had filed a motion ex-parte before Justice Ekwo to demand for his unconditional release from the DSS detention in pursuance of the release order made by Justice Ojukwu on November 6, 2019.
However, the matter could not be heard and it was later reassigned to Justice Ahmed Mohammed.
On December 23, 2019, Justice Mohammed recused himself from the suit brought by Sowore before him.
Mohammed, who made his intention known to parties at the mention of the motion ex-parte with suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1409/19, said his decision was due to a publication of bribery allegation against him by Sahara Reporters owned by Mr Sowore.
The operatives of the DSS had rearrested Sowore shortly after a court proceeding on December 6, 2019 barely 24 hours of releasing him and his co-defendant, Bakare.
Justice Ojukwu had fixed February 11 as the next adjourned date.
However, Abubakar Malami, the AGF and Minister of Justice, had also, on December 13, 2019, announced his take over of the prosecution of Sowore in the charge of treasonable felony levied against him.
The development came as a result of the criticism their rearrest had generated.
Sowore, alongside Bakare, were on August 5, 2019, arrested and charged by the DSS with treasonable felony, money laundering, among others.