Justice Halimah Saleeman of the Kwara State High Court does not want to be blamed for the delay in the trial of the 5 suspects in connection with the 2018 infamous Offa bank robbery.
She says the blame should be put at the doorstep of the prosecution counsel who has consistently foot drag in calling their witnesses.
The infamous Offa bank robbery happened on 5th of April 2018 where more than 30 persons including policemen were killed,6 banks robbed and millions of Naira carted away.
The trial of the suspects started in September, 2018, meaning the case has been on for more than two years while five suspects are currently standing trial.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, contrary to the promise made last September, the prosecution counsel, Bola Gold, told the Court that the principal witness, one Inspector Danjuma Garba could still not be produced because he was said to still be on a National assignment in Somalia.
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The prosecution therefore filed another application to list one Inspector John Nwoke as witness to replace Inspector Danjuma Garba.
Meanwhile, the trial judge, Justice Halimah Saleeman is not happy about the news making the rounds that the Court was deliberately delaying the case.
She said if anybody is to be blamed for the delay, it should be the prosecution who, according to her, is chasing shadows instead of the substance.
The case has now been adjourned to the 17th of February 2021.
(Editor:Abaje Usekwe)
