The trial of six policemen accused of killing five spare parts dealers and their female companion in Abuja in 2005 suffered another setback on Wednesday before an Abuja High court.
The policemen standing trial for the killings are DCP Danjuma Ibrahim, ASP Othman Abdulsalami (still at large), Nicholas Zacharia, Emmanuel Baba, Sadiq Salami and Emmanuel Acheneje.
The policemen were alleged to have killed Ifeanyi Ozo, Chinedu Menriu, Isaac Ekene, Paulinus Ogbonna, Anthony Nwokike and Tina Arebun.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Wednesday before Justice Ishaq Bello, the prosecution counsel, Mr Kanayo Okafor, told the court that Ibrahim's counsel, Mr Rickey Tarfa (SAN), had written a letter asking for an adjournment.
Okafor said that Ibrahim and his counsel were stalling the proceedings by their constant application for adjournment.
“Even though we are ready with our two witnesses, we cannot continue because the first accused person's counsel is not in court.
“While we concede to the adjournment, we are asking for N50, 000 cost from the first accused counsel.’’
Counsel to Zacharia and Baba (third and fourth accused), Mr Anthony Agbolahan, said that Tarfa did not give “cogent” reasons to warrant an adjournment.
He said that when the matter came up on Nov. 30, 2011, it was the same Tarfa who sent a letter asking for adjournment and who picked today's date.
Agbolahan wondered why Tarfa agreed to today's date, knowing that he would not be able to make it to court.
He said that all the five adjournments in the matter were at Tarfa's instance.
Counsel to Salami (fifth accused), Mr Isa Ibrahim, prayed the judge to make an order that “this is the last adjournment that the court should allow Tarfa to ask for.’’
Also contributing, counsel to Acheneje (sixth accused), Mr Brian Abalaka, said that the requests for adjournments at Tarfa's instance was “unbecoming”.
“It is convenient for the counsel to the first accused to be asking for adjournments because you see, my Lord, his client is on bail, while the others are in prison languishing.”
In his ruling, Justice Bello, who did not hide his anger, warned Tarfa to stop delaying proceedings.
“This cannot continue. We have to make progress. That is why I have ordered for accelerated hearing in this matter, so that we can conclude it once and for all.’’
“I am giving Tarfa the last adjournment. He should make sure that he is in court on Monday, Feb. 6, for continuation of hearing.”
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