Dimeji Bankole's Trial Latest: Court Summons National Assembly Clerks

Dimeji Bankole
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Tuesday summoned the clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Abubakar Maikasuwa, and his House of Representatives counterpart, Mr Mohammed Sani-Omolori, to appear before it today over the on-going trial of the former Speaker of the House, Dimeji Bankole, and his Deputy, Usman Bayero Nafada. Bankole and Nafada who are facing a 17-count criminal charge before the court.

The trial judge, Justice Suleiman Belgore, issued the order to the two top management officers as well as the Director of Finance of the National Assembly, Mr. Bukoye Lasisi, following complaints by the prosecution counsel, Festus Keyamo, that the National Assembly officials were under pressure, from some powerful interests, not to fulfil their initial commitment to stand as witnesses in the case.

Speaking from the bar, Keyamo had said: “My lord, I want to put it on record that those who were supposed to come as witnesses are developing cold feet. Specifically, the clerk of the House, who was one of the witnesses you signed their witness summon this morning, from available information they are being pressurised not to give evidence in this court.”

The court order entitled “Summons to Witness” was issued by Belgore to compel the listed witnesses to appear before the court today. The judge said the summon was issued based on the complaint by prosecution that the witnesses would not voluntarily appear, stressing that “it appears to me that by the proof of evidence that you are likely to give material evidence therein on behalf of the complainant and will not voluntarily appear for that purpose.”

The judge adjourned the matter till Wednesday when the summoned officials are expected to appear to take their turn in the witness box.

Source: ThisDayLive

Comments