Justice Emmanuel Nkea of the Special Criminal Court yesterday deferred
the ruling on the motion filed by counsel for the 1st accused, Justice Joseph
Wowo, former Chief Justice, for the trial judge to excuse himself from the
case, because there was likelihood that the court would be bias.
The ruling was adjourned on the grounds that the defence counsel, Ozuma, had filed another motion in relation to ruling that was supposed to be delivered yesterday.
At the last hearing of the case, Wowo’s defence counsel Uzoma told the court that in view of the court’s earlier ruling allowing PW5, John Belford, the Judiciary Secretary, to be recalled to give further evidence, they had filed a notice for a stay of proceedings.
Uzoma added that he had received instructions from his client that he was no longer comfortable with the court hearing the matter, because he feels there was likelihood that the court would be bias, and urged the judge to excuse himself from hearing the case.
During yesterday’s proceedings, counsel Ozuma informed the court that he had filed another motion in relation to the ruling that was supposed to be delivered yesterday Monday 23 September 2013.
Meanwhile, defence counsel L.S. Camara also told the court that he was adopting the affidavit before the court.
The state counsel, Mr Vitalisn, then told the court that they would reply to both motions.
The case at that juncture was adjourned to 25 September 2013, for hearing on the motions.
Justice Wowo and Lamin A.M.S. Jobarteh were arraigned on a thirteen-count indictment which include abuse of office, conspiracy to defeat Justiceand interference with witnesses, offences relating to Judicial proceeding, to giving false informing to a public officer, at the Special Criminal Court in Banjul before Justice Emmanuel Nkea.