Judge Frowns At Prosecutor In Dino Melaye’s Trial

Judge Frowns At Prosecutor In Dino Melaye’s Trial

Senator Dino Melaye (file)

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama has frowned at the prosecution for failing to furnish it with information regarding a proposed witness, Mr Edward Onoja, in the trial of Senator Dino Melaye.

The trial of the lawmaker was, however, due to the action of the prosecution.

The testimony of the witness was cut short on Tuesday after the defence raised an objection to its continuation on the grounds that the written statement of the witness was not part of the proof of evidence served on it by the prosecution.

At resumed hearing when the prosecution counsel, Mrs Chika Nnanna, presented her first witness Mr Onoja, Melaye’s lawyer, Olusegun Jolaawo, objected to the fact that there were no details about the witness in his file.

Attempts by the prosecutor to serve the parties in the suit was rejected by Jolaawo who said that it would be insufficient and difficult for the prosecutor to serve the court with the required detail.

Justice Olasumbo Goodluck, in a short ruling, frowned at the failure of the prosecutor to provide the witness’ details to both the court and the defence.

She also held that although she does not usually grant an adjournment for counsels to file their processes, she would grant an adjournment for trial.

Justice Goodluck thereafter adjourned the matter till December 5 for the continuation of the trial at the instance of the prosecution.

Senator Melaye is standing trial for allegedly telling a falsehood and incriminating the Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Mr Edward Onoja, in an alleged assassination attempt.