by Azubuike Azikiwe

In the ongoing trial of 12 members of the Biafra Zionist Federation, the presiding judge was missing from the courtroom of the High Court, sitting in Enugu.

Trial was inevitably postponed due to the absence of the presiding judge of the case against the secessionists, who are facing four counts bordering on treason.

Justice Dorothy Agishi never made it to the courtroom, despite the accused persons being brought from the prison, where they have been remanded since their arraignment on November 19.

The secessionists were arrested on June 5 after they took over the studio of the Enugu State Broadcasting Service radio house in a bid to declare the secession of the Republic of Biafra.

They reportedly forced the radio station to play Biafran jingles and speeches of the late leader of the defunct Republic of Biafra, Odumegwu Ojukwu, while also attempting to make a live broadcast for the secession of Biafra from the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

As a result of the Judge Agishi failing to appear, the defence counsel, Olu Omotayo, told journalists that the matter was adjourned to February 9.

He said, “The judge is not in court so we have no option than to take a new date. The court is already going on vacation to resume on January 19, we shall come back on February 9 to argue our motion for the bail of the suspects.”

Kolapo Olapoju