As court shifts trial till March 12, five Rivers State men charged with terrorism offenses by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) have challenged the jurisdiction of Federal High Court Abuja to try them for alleged offenses committed in Rivers.
The five defendants charged with terrorism are Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod.
They had, in yesterday’s proceedings, orally attacked the territorial jurisdiction of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court on the ground that the alleged offences were committed in Rivers State.
However, the oral application was turned down by the court, which insisted that being a court of record, all applications and motions must be brought before it in writing as required by law.
Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon rejected the oral application sought to be moved by counsel to the 1st and 2nd defendants, Lukman Fagbemi.
Olajuwon, who was taken aback by the mode, rejected the move and advised the lawyer to come formally with any motion or application.
The Judge said that the senior lawyer should be diligent in the conduct of proceedings in relation to the case of his clients.
He also turned down the request by the defendants to adjourn the case until their proposed application to challenge the territorial jurisdiction of the court is determined one way or the other.
