The FCT High Court on Monday adjourned until March the trial of 20 former leaders of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) charged with attempted murder.

In the suit, marked CR/042/2023, the former union leaders, including a one-time national chairman, Lucky Osesua, were arraigned before Justice Yusuf Halilu.

They are being tried on five counts of attempted murder, breach of peace and assault.

Also included in the charge are Dayyabu Garga, Humble Obinna, Akinolu Olabisi, Godwin Nwaka, Tiamiu Sikiru, Abdulmimin Shaibu and John Amajuoyi.

Others are Zaira Aregbo, Patrick Erhivwor, Stephen Ogheneruemu, Gift Ukponku, Sunday Ezeocha and seven others.

The union members were alleged to have attacked NUPENG President Wiliams Akporeha, General Secretary Wale Afolabi and the newly elected national chairman of the PTD branch of NUPENG, Augustine Egbon.

The NUPENG members were particularly alleged to have acted “in a manner likely to cause the death of Comrade Williams Akporeha and Comrade Augustine Egbon” when they laid siege at PTD’s office at No. 50 Moses Majekodenmi Crescent, Utako District, Abuja, on November 1.

In the suit, the defendants were accused of voluntarily causing grievous bodily harm to Messrs Akporeha, Afolabi, Kilanko and Egbon.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Mr Halilu adjourned the case after the prosecution counsel, Frank Longe, informed the court that the prosecution had filed additional proof of evidence.

The judge noted a contractual agreement between the court and the defendants, adding that bail was a constitutional right since the defendants were presumed innocent by the constitution.

The defence counsel, Christopher Oshomegie, SAN, sought an adjournment, saying the defendants had filed a motion, notifying the court of a change of counsel.

He said his clients had asked another counsel, Enenche Ekoja, to take over their case, adding that there was a need for the defence to sort out the issue properly.

“There is nothing more damaging than having defendants who no longer have confidence in you representing them,” he told the court.

He, however, sought a brief adjournment to enable the defence team to sort themselves out and go through the additional proof of evidence filed by the prosecution.

Meanwhile, the prosecution said he was ready to go on with the case, having brought some of its witnesses to court.

The counsel then informed the court that the defendants were still going about to cause trouble despite being on bail.

Mr Oshomegie denied the allegation and argued that his clients were gentlemen who would never engage in such criminal acts.

He urged the court to protect the defendants from those he described as “power mongers.”

(NAN)