http://www.newsportng.com.ng Absence of first respondent and declared winner of Kaduna Central Senatorial primary of people’s Democratic Party (PDP), Lawal Adamu known as Mr. LA at trial instituted by a leading aspirant in the election, Usman Ibrahim, popularly known as Sardaunan Badarawa has stalled continuation of proceedings with the Judge threatening to go on at next adjourned date for the sake of justice.
The trial judge decried continuous absence of Mr. LA or his legal counsel at the trial despite being served severally via different means with notices of appearance and summon, adding that should the evading attitude of the first defendant continue he would be left with no option than to preside over an accelerated hearing of the suit.
Senior Advocate Of Nigeria (SAN) Samuel Atung who appeared for Sardaunan Badarawa, earlier in his submission before the trial judge argued that the first respondent had been adequately served with court summons, notifying him of date for accelerated hearing of the matter.
Atung wondered why the first respondent failed to appear despite knowing the urgency and importance of the case at hand which according to him had a stipulated time to conclude.
The Senior legal luminary however did not object to the decision of the Judge to give the first respondent a leverage of the benefit of doubt by adjourning the matter to Thursday June 30 for hearing.
While addressing newsmen at the premises of Federal High Court Kaduna, venue of the litigation, Barrister Atung expressed disappointment over the continuous non-appearance of Mr LA for a trial he described as epic.
” You can see how the absence of the first respondent is stalling proceedings on this important matter of election litigation that has a time frame.
” You can see how his supporters have been besieging this Court each time the case comes up which shows he is aware of dates and notices of appearance served him.
” His next absence on Thursday June 30 will not stop the Judge from going on with hearing because there is a time frame for election matters to be dispensed with”, he declared.
