By Fredrick Ameh
Court proceedings across several Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) cases recorded a mix of stalled trials, adjournments, and enforcement actions during the week under review, 20th – 24th April, 2026.
In one of the key cases, FRN v. Adjobome Blessing Lere-Adams, proceedings could not be held as defence counsel failed to appear in court. Although the defendant was present, the matter was adjourned to 25th May, 2026, for arraignment.
Similarly, in FRN v. Chingyal Sambo Gotoro & Anor, the case scheduled for trial could not proceed as the court did not sit. The matter has been fixed for 18th June, 2026.
A more serious development occurred in FRN v. Raymond Segun Ikhanzuangbe, where the defendants were absent during the continuation of the defence. The court subsequently issued a bench warrant for their arrest, adjourning the matter to 22nd June, 2026.
In another case, FRN v. Mosudi O. Ashim, the absence of defence counsel stalled proceedings, preventing the defendant from opening his defence. The case was adjourned to 15th June, 2026, for a definite defence.
Meanwhile, in Rabiu Musa Matazu v. FRN, proceedings advanced as the Registrar of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, testified and was cross-examined. The matter continues on 19th May, 2026, for further hearing.
In FRN v. Dahiru Muhammad Tukur, the court declined to entertain a motion for bail pending appeal and instead ordered an accelerated hearing of the substantive appeal, fixing the matter for 30th September, 2026.
Another case saw the prosecution open its case and call three witnesses before the court. The matter was adjourned to 18th May, 2026, for continuation of the hearing.
A scheduled ruling on a No Case Submission was also stalled after the court did not sit due to ongoing renovation works. The matter has been shifted to 16th June, 2026.
Overall, the week was marked by adjournments, procedural delays, the absence of legal representation in some matters, and active prosecution in select cases, with several hearings now pushed to May and June 2026.
