CCT Strikes out Case against former Bayelsa Speaker

Justice Danladi Y. Umar led Code of Conduct Tribunal on Tuesday struck out a matter before it against former Speaker of Bayelsa state Assembly, Hon. Friday Kombowei Benson and four others for want of diligent   prosecution.

The ruled that “the Tribunal made an order on the 29th of January, 2020 if the prosecution fail to produce his witness on the adjourned date the matter would be struck out.

In view of the order and with the present circumstance the court is seems and believed that the prosecutions are not prepare to proceed accordingly, therefore the matter is struck out and the five defendants are hereby discharge.

At the resumed hearing in Abuja, the prosecution counsel led by Mr Peter Danladi, told the court that the matter was adjourned for the Prosecution to produced PW 1 Mr Israel Sonny, to give testimony, but he said he has made frantic efforts but with no avail.

He further stated that the PW II was equally not in court due to other pressing official issues, he therefore pleaded with the court to give him one more adjournment in order to get his witness in court.

However, the Defence counsel Mr Biriyai Dambo (SAN), reminded the court on it order at the last adjourned date, where the court made it clear that should the prosecutions fail to produce their witnesses the court would not hesitate but to strike out the matter.

Mr. Dambo further reinstated his earlier request to court to strike out the charges against his clients, that he has a tremendous respect for the court, since the commencement of the case they have been diligent in the course of the trial and his clients suffered in no small measure in transporting themselves from Beyelsa to Abuja.

Other functionaries of the state Assembly discharged include Mr Aaron W. Timiye, Mr Thomas Tamaraoduba, Mr Owudogu Edward, Koroye A. Stephen.

Ibraheem Al-Hassan,

Head, Press & Public Relations.

Code Conduct Tribunal HQ.

Abuja.

February 12, 2020