Court adjourns fishermen pipeline vandals case

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(Nigeria) The absence of Justice Musa Kurya of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on Wednesday, stalled the trial of 11 Fishermen, charged with Pipeline vandalism.
The accused are--- Sidi Egbayelo; 29, Sunday Shadrach; 39, Edem Okon; 30, Godwin Kofa; 28, Rosemon Neito; 30, Ejona Kpamkpam; 23,  Moses Victor; 28, Chris Sunday; 29, Peter Gay; 21, Remo Uchugwu; 23, and Mike Sabato; 29.
They are standing trial on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, vandalism, stealing, and unlawful possession of petroleum products.
The case which was fixed on Wednesday, for continuation of trial, was stalled due to the absence of the trial judge.
No reason was given for the absence.
The matter was however, adjourned to Nov. 3 for continuation of trial.
The accused were arraigned on Feb. 7, 2013, on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, vandalism, and unlawful possession of petroleum products.
They had each pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Justice Kurya had then granted them bail in the sum of N2 Million each with two sureties each in like sum.
At the last adjourned date on June 30, the trial of the accused was also stalled following the absence of the trial judge.
On May 7, trial could not also proceed following the absence of a witness for the prosecution.
The prosecutor, Mr Justin Enang, had informed the court that his witness, an Investigating Police Officer, had been transferred out of the jurisdiction of the court.
He had however, assured the court that he would send signals to the witness, so as to secure his attendance in court on the next adjourned date.
In the charge, the accused were said to have committed the offence on Dec. 21, 2012.
The prosecutor said they were apprehended at about 1am on the said day, at Atlas Cove, within the Lagos Suburb.
According to the prosecutor, about 220 drums of petrol was recovered from the accused who had scooped the product from a vandalised pipeline for illegal sale.
He said that the product is valued at N5.3 million.

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