In a defamation case filed against the founder of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, businessman Ned Nwoko was absent in court for the hearing on Wednesday.
Barrister Tope Temokun revealed that the prosecuting counsel had to seek for adjournment when they ran into some ‘jurisdictional gridlock on the ground of proper service’.
Nwoko arrested and filed charges against Sowore over some publication made by his media organisations which he termed defamatorily. Nwoko went ahead to arrest a lawyer Barrister Abubakar Marshall through the Nigeria Police for defending Sowore in court.
Barrister Tomekun wrote;
“NED NWOKO REFUSED TO SHOW UP!
See somebody who claimed he was defamed. Sowore was to be arraigned today. Sowore drove to the police at SARS office Abuja around 8am to submit himself for arraignment. We lawyers , Myself, Pelumi Olajengbesi, B.B. Williams, were in court before Justice Nwite of Court 8, Federal High Court, Abuja, waiting for Ned Nwoko and the police. When they eventually came, they ran into some jurisdictional gridlock on ground of proper service and they had to seek adjournment. Curiously, Ned whose reputation and name were so much at stake was nowhere to be found.
Case adjourned to the 25th of April, 2022.
Stepping out of court, we ran into Liborous Oshoma, another patriot and lawyer, who wants this country better run. We met for the first time but we bonded.
This struggle continues!!!
Tope Temokun
March 16, 2022.
2:48 pm.”
