Attempts by the Federal Government to shield former head of state Abdusalam Abubakar from appearing in a Chicago court room to answer to charges of torture and provide details over the death of Bashorun M.K.O Abiola was rebuffed by Judge Matthew Kennely of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Divison in a ruling delivered today in Chicago.
The ruling which had detailed the history of Abubakar's hide and seek attitude towards the case in general made reference to the attempt by the Nigerian government to cover up the atrocities committed by Abubakar by instituting a lawsuit against Abubakar and lawyers to the plaintiffs in a last ditch attempt at preventing him from facing the consequences of the lawsuit. The court said it recognizes that as "Rather, there has been a clear pattern of knowing, indeed studied, noncompliance with the orders of this Court and Judge Friedman regarding the taking of Abubakar’s depsition. In such circumstances, entry of a judgment may be an appropriate sanction". Saharareporters had earlier reported the existence of a lawsuit filed by the FG which hoped to bar Abubakar from appearing to give evidence in the case.
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The US District judge has now ordered General Abubakar (rtd) to appear in his Chicago courtroom for deposition by the plaintiffs lawyers led by Mr. Kayode Oladele by stating that: "For the reasons stated above, final ruling on plaintiffs’ motion for sanctions is deferred.
The Court orders defendant Abubakar to appear for deposition on April 13, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. atthe attorney-witness room across the hall from Courtroom 2103 at 219 South Dearborn Street,Chicago, Illinois. Abubakar’s counsel and plaintiffs’ counsel are likewise ordered to appear.If either Abubakar or his counsel fails to appear, the Court will, on that date, enter Abubakar’s default and will set the matter for a prove-up of plaintiffs’ damages".
Full details at the E-Library
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