By Onoja Baba, Nigeria
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has raised alarm over the sudden unavailability of Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who was scheduled to resume sitting on Tuesday to hear the bail application of popular businessman, BLord, whose real name is Linus Williams Ifejirika in an alleged criminal cases against Very Dark Man whose real name is Martins Vincent Otse.
In a post made on Wednesday, Sowore noted that the judge has remained unreachable since the Nigeria Police Force withdrew its counter-affidavit opposing BLord’s bail.
“Federal High Court Abuja judge, Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, who was scheduled to resume sitting on Tuesday to hear BLord’s bail application, has remained unreachable since the police withdrew their counter-affidavit,” Sowore posted.
The development comes after BLord’s legal team filed a bail application, with the police initially submitting a counter-affidavit to challenge it. The withdrawal of the police objection had appeared to clear the way for the court to hear the matter without opposition from the prosecution.
Sowore expressed concern that the judge’s absence is delaying proceedings in a case that has drawn significant public attention, particularly following reports of high-profile interventions and meetings involving parties linked to the matter.
BLord associated with online controversies and a recent arrest, has been in detention at Kuje Prison. His supporters argue that there is no constitutional basis to deny him bail, especially after the police stepped back from opposing the application.
As of Wednesday, no official statement has been issued by the Federal High Court or the office of the Chief Judge regarding Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia’s whereabouts or the rescheduling of the hearing.
Court officials have also not confirmed whether an alternative judge has been assigned to h
andle the matter.
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