In a related development, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Malami had reacted to the petition written by Aghogho over charges of cyberstalking filed against him.
Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Warri has adjourned to November 24, 2022 for the conclusion of further cross examination of the 1st prosecuting witness of the Nigerian government, Joshua Omorere, in an ongoing trial of the Delta State Take-It-Back Coordinator, Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho.
The government had through the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN on July 21, 2022, filed charges in defence of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed (retired), former Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Marshal Umukoro (retired), Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Ari Mohammed Ali, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Oghenekevwe Agas, former Director Child Development, Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs, Mr Fred Ugheni and the President of a purported NGO, one Joshua Omorere, who were accused of child trafficking and conspiracy in trafficking thousands of children from Delta State.
The charge sheet dated 21/7/2022 bordering on the offence of cyberstalking and posting of information claimed to be false on Facebook by the police, was said to contravene the provisions of the Cybercrime Act 2015.
When the case was called by the clerk of the court on 27 of October, Justice Abang asked the defendant who appeared in person, “how much time will you take to conclude the cross examination?”
Immediately, Aghogho said, “like 30minutes to confront the PW1 with several documents".
However, Justice Abang said that the court was exhausted and adjourned to 24th of November, 2022 for Aghogho to conclude his cross examination of PW1.
Meanwhile in the fresh bail application filed by Aghogho and dated 25/10/2022 as ordered by Justice Abang, the court issued a hearing notice slated for 5/12/2022 for the argument of the bail application without a production warrant as required by law knowing that the Defendant is still in prison custody.
However, court officials have said, a mere application to the Registrar drawing the attention of the Judge to the non- issuance of the production warrant will be sufficient.
Aghogho had sought from the fresh bail application amongst others, an order releasing him on bail on the most liberal terms from his continued remand at the Federal Correctional Centre (Prison) in Warri on the grounds of presumption of innocence, applicant's willingness to stand his trial without jumping bail, availability of substantial sureties, the offences in which the defendant is being charged are bailable offences and the charges against the defendant are Quasi-criminal charges.
The office of the Attorney-General of Delta State has equally filed and served on Aghogho a "counter-affidavit" opposing the bail application.
The 14-paragraphs counter-affidavit dated 26/10/2022 deposed to by one Oniyide Oladele, the litigation clerk serving at the Ministry of Justice Warri and filed by J.A Amahi Esq, state counsel,Ministry of Justice, Warri proclaimed that the averments contained in the defendant's bail application are false and are hereby denied.
He subsequently urged the court not to admit the activist to bail.
In a related development, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Malami had reacted to the petition written by Aghogho over charges of cyberstalking filed against him.
In his response, via a letter dated September 20, 2022, referenced DPPA/AGHOGHO/673/22 and addressed to Aghogho, the AGF through Yewande Gbola-Awopetu, head of SGBV Response/Gender Unit, partly stated: “This office refers you to your petition dated 3/8/2022 in respect of the above subject matter.
“I am directed to request that you forward to this office the charges and court processes to enable this office to take an informed decision that is deemed appropriate.”
“Please accept the warm regard of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,” it added.
The activist had been at loggerheads with the police in the state after he protested the lack of police vehicles for an investigation involving child trafficking.
He specifically accused the Assistant Inspector-General, Zone 5 Benin, Lawan Tanko Jimeta, of compromising an ongoing child trafficking investigation involving Delta State Government officials, police officers, and a retired chief judge among others.
In a petition to the Inspector General of Police, Baba Usman, the activist alleged that Jimeta tried everything possible to frustrate investigations into the case, urging the IGP to caution the AIG “if he the IGP is not part of the deal as officers in the zone boast about".
He was on June 6, 2022, arrested in commando style not befitting the Nigeria Police Force.
It will be recalled, Aghogho had petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami over an alleged child trafficking investigation involving Delta State Government officials, police officers, and a retired chief judge among others, calling for re-investigation into the matter as he was being framed on trumped up charges accusing the Delta State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, the Director of Public Prosecution of Delta State, Barrister Isaiah Bozimo and Mrs. Efe Jesin Odugwu respectively.
The petition was copied to Femi Falana (SAN), Citizens Gavel Foundation For Social Justice, Omoyele Sowore and the National Coordinator, Take It Back (TIB) Movement, Nigeria.
In his response, via a letter dated September 20, 2022, referenced DPPA/AGHOGHO/673/22 and addressed to Aghogho, the AGF through Yewande Gbola-Awopetu, head of SGBV Response/Gender Unit, partly stated: “This office refers you to your petition dated 3/8/2022 in respect of the above subject matter.
“I am directed to request that you forward to this office the charges and court processes to enable this office to take an informed decision that is deemed appropriate.”
“Please accept the warm regard of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,” it added.