Court adjourns rape and incest trial amid disputes over legal procedure

Proceedings in an alleged rape and incest case before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Apo, Abuja, were stalled on Wednesday following intense discussions between the prosecution and defense lawyers over procedural issues.

A source said so Project weekend On Friday that the case marked CR/473/2021 and involving the Federal Republic of Nigeria against Chizoba Nnaemeka, was brought before Justice Abubakar Hussain Musa of the High Court No. 28.

In the resumed hearing, defense lawyer, Ebosetale David Aigbefoh, objected to several aspects of the court proceedings, particularly the revocation of the defendant’s bail on April 30, 2026.

According to Aigbefoh, the allegation that the accused interfered with a witness was not sufficiently supported in court.

He argued that the witness in question had already testified years earlier as the first prosecution witness, adding that no clear breach of bail conditions had been established against the accused.

The defense also criticized the prosecution’s attempts to recall a witness, insisting that no formal application had been made to reopen the prosecution’s case, as required by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

Another issue raised during the hearing concerned the appearance of Lawyer Sylvanus Maliki alongside the Chief Prosecutor, Mrs Justina Maliki Esonu.

The defense argued that Maliki was neither part of the official prosecution team nor affiliated with any recognized federal judicial authority.

Following submissions from both parties, Justice Musa adjourned the case to 14 July 2026.