The ECOWAS community Court of Justice in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned the case against the Federal and Rivers state governments over the shooting of peaceful demonstrators in Bundu water front, Port Harcourt in October 2009.
The case was adjourned to March 26th for further hearing.
The presiding Judge; Justice Benfeito Ramos, adjourned the court proceedings due to the prayer of the new counsel for the Rivers state government and Solicitor-general of the state, Rufus Godwins, who asked the court for more time to allow him study the matter because he “just took over the case from the previous counsel.”
The plaintiffs in the case which included the residents of Bundu waterfront were expected to give evidence on the matter on Wednesday, but they were denied due to the prayer of the Solicitor-general.
This was contested by the counsel to the slum dwellers; Adetokunbo Mumuni, who accused the government of “unnecessarily delaying the matter with incessant request for adjournment.”
However counsel to the Rivers state government pointed out to the court that the prosecution counsel has not complied fully with the provisions of the court to make a formal application on the witnesses he intends to present as such the court cannot allow the matter to go on.
After listening to their argument Justice Ramos stated that “before any counsel calls a witness to testify in the court such counsel must comply with Article 43 of the ECOWAS community court of justice which requires counsel to file an application identifying its witnesses, state what facts the witnesses will be testifying on and the reason why they want to give the testimony.” The judge then pronounced the adjournment till the 26th of March.
At least one person died and 12 were injured when armed security forces allegedly opened fire on people protesting the proposed demolition of their homes in Bundu community in October 2009.
The case was filled by 10 residents of the Bundu waterfront and surrounding communities with the support of civil organization; the Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
