The trial of six men arraigned by the police over alleged vandalism of petroleum pipelines located in Arepo, Ogun State was on Tuesday stalled at the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
The assistant commissioner of police, Friday Ibadin who is prosecuting the case was absent in court.
An Assistant Superintendent of Police, Justin Enang who represented him in court told presiding justice Mohammed Idris, that his boss could not be in court because he missed his flight from Abuja. He therefore sought an adjournment to enable the prosecution put its house in order.
One of the defence lawyers, G.O Nnachor faulted the excuse of the prosecution describing it as untenable. He also alleged that the police was not taking the matter seriously.
The defence team also complained that the prosecution had not served them with the proof of evidence to enable them adequately prepare their case.
The six accused persons were arraigned on the 29th of November for oil pipeline vandalism and the murder of three Engineers of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Among the accused is a 60-year-old community leader, Oluwole Reuben.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges and are to remain in prison pending the hearing of their bail applications which Justice Idris has fixed for the 25th and 28th of January 2013 for trial with an order to the prosecutor to serve the proof of evidence on the defence
