Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
The absence of the judge in court yesterday stalled hearing on the matter between the Rivers State Government and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in the state, Hon. Farah Dagogo.
THISDAY observed at the court that the defendant, who is a lawmaker representing Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, was brought to court by prison warders in a wheelchair as early as 8a.m. and taken back to the correctional centre when court could not sit on the matter.
It was learned that the court under trial Justice Chinwedu Nworgu was supposed to hear and rule on bail application before it on the matter.
The defendant’s counsel who informed journalists in the court premises on the position of the matter, said since the court could not hold, the Clerk told them that the case has been adjourned till Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Dagogo was arrested in the governorship screening hall at the PDP South South Zonal office in Port Harcourt, by some security operatives by the directive of the state governor, Nyesom Wike, alleging that he hired cultists to disrupt activities of the state party.
Wike in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri on April 27, 2022, declared Hon. Dagogo wanted for allegedly hiring cultists to attack the PDP secretariat in Port Harcourt.
On May 9, a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt, presided by Amadi Nna, entertained the matter and adjourned till May 23 this year to continue hearing.
However, counsel for the federal lawmaker, Femi Adegbite, filed a motion for bail of his client which was not opposed by the prosecution counsel.
Despite bail granted him by a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Dagogo who looked visibly sick from police custody was rearranged in a state High Court sitting in Port Harcourt.
Again, the matter suffered a setback as a result of absence of the judge and a new date of May 25, 2022 was given by the Clerk to the parties in the matter.
