THE COORDINATOR, PHCN STAFF FORUM, KADUNA CONFRONTED WITH NEW CHARGES

Members of PHCN STAFF FORUM after the Proceedings

The Coordinator, PHCN STAFF FORUM, Kaduna Mr. Stanley Ilumah had a date with the court today for further hearing of his trial at the Customary Court I Tudun Wada Kaduna for criminal conspiracy, criminal intimidation and defamation of characters of Moses Amedu and Ali Sikamta Mishelinga, the Assistant General Secretary and Deputy President North West of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) .
At the resumed hearing, the prosecutor, Sergeant Nanjul Amos in a sudden twist applied to the court for the substitution of the First Information Report (FIR). The counsel to the defendant, Suleiman Rafiu opposed the motion on the grounds that it was meant to take the accused by surprise. He argued that the prosecution should have filed a motion and annex the new FIR so that the accused will have knowledge of the new offences against him.
The Honourable Judge, Ibrahim Titus Jujas in his ruling urged the counsels to avoid technicalities as the court is that of substantial justice. Thereafter, the counsel to the defendant conceded to the application but did not withdraw his objection. The application was then granted. However, in the new FIR presented before the court by the prosecutor, nothing much changed as the defendant was charged again for criminal conspiracy, criminal intimidation and defamation of characters of Moses Amedu and Ali Sikamta Mishelinga, the Assistant General Secretary and Deputy President North West of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) respectively. The only addition was that; the defendant used three phone numbers to intimidate the nominal defendants and was alleged to have tarnished their image and that of Joe Ajaero in a letter dated 7th March, 2016 which he signed on behalf of the Forum. The offences like the first charges contravene sections 96, 398 and 391 of the penal code of northern Nigeria. The plea of the accused was taken and he denied the charges.
The submission of the prosecution did not go down well with the counsel to the defendant who informed the court that the action amounted to waste of time and resources of the federal government of Nigeria. He threatened to apply for damages for that action arguing that the defendant counsel was not ready and should have come prepared. A large number of members of the Forum were on hand in solidarity with the coordinator. The case was adjourned to 22nd September, 2016 for further hearing. The STRUGGLE CONTINUES!