As predicted, the state attorneys have pulled another rabbit out of the hat during the pre-trial conference on Friday. Two things happened.
First, the lawyer defending the Defendant number 7, Fagacin Zazzau, a kingmaker, reported that his client sent him a text message that he no longer wishes his representation. The Defendant was also absent from the court.
The state attorneys quickly responded to this information. They pleaded that for the hearing to continue, the Defendant should have a fair representation. Thus, they prayed for adjournment of the pre-trial conference. They also prayed to the court to consider the end of year holidays as some of them celebrate Christmas.
The benevolent presiding judge, Kabiru Dabo, ordered defendant number 7 should be served the Hearing Notice personally, and it is up to him to decide whether he should represent himself or get a lawyer. The court adjourned the sitting for pre-trial hearing and hearing to 14 and 15 January 2021.
Secondly, the state attorneys failed to file their statement of defence as ordered by the court. The presiding judge pointed out that the state attorneys lack professionalism of senior advocates of Nigeria because their behaviour shows they are not taking the case seriously. He reminded the court that there is an order for accelerated hearing for the lawsuit.
To conclude, Fagachi’s, did not vote for the plaintiff, has already submitted his witness statement under oath. Changing a lawyer will not make any difference, unless he wants to commit perjury, and that will be jailable offense. The plaintiff has the right to file for judgement based on the writ of summons and statement of claim if the defendants continue to fail to respond to the court procedures. In my naïve opinion, there will be a judgement by the end of February 2021.
The end is nigh.