By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
Justice Adrian Fisher of the High Court has on Friday 28th April 2023 adjourned the matter between the state against Dr Samura Kamara and five others to 14th July 2023 after the presidential election would have been conducted and has also ruled against Samura Kamara`s Lawyers application base on his travelling to the Common Wealth meeting.
Before given his ruling, the learned Judge said lawyers representing Dr. Samura Kamara had earlier filed an affidavit before the court for the passport of Samura Kamara to be released by the Master and Registrar of the High Court as Samura has been invited to a dialogue meeting at the Common Wealth together with President Bio in Nigerian from the 2nd to 14 May 2023.
He said the affidavit file stated that Dr Samura after been selected as the flagbearer of the main opposition party has been invited by the secretary General of the Common Wealth together with president Bio to dialogue about national security of the country.
The affidavit furthered that Samura has been present in court since the inception of the matter, adding that part of the bail condition given by the court is that he should submit his passport to the master and register of the high Court until the matter comes to its conclusion.
He said the letter of invitation was attached to the affidavit and it was dated 15 April 2023 signed by the Secretary General of the Common Wealth and the caption of the meeting involved discussion of the country security and other developmental needs.
Also the affidavit states that the fourth accused has no intension of staying long.
He said lawyer Matesbo representing the ACC on 26 April 2023 filed in opposition to the affidavit filed by Samura lawyers indicating that procedure has not been followed by the fourth accused (Samura).
He said the fourth accused has been minister of foreign affairs and he knows the procedure to follow when a person is been invited out of the country.
He said there is possibility that Samura might not comply with the procedure of the court.
He stated that the invitation letter was not copy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation which Ministry is in charge of protocol of external affairs of government business.
He furthered stated that the letter was sent directly to the fourth accused and not the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Lawyer Matesbo furthered that the fourth accused passport was released to him for a locust visit in New York City but he did not attend the sitting.
Justice Fisher said having looking at both affidavits, there is insufficient evidence before him warranting the fourth accused to travel outside the country.
He said the Letter of invitation was dated 15 March 2023 but defense did not present it before the court earlier, adding that he has found out that the court has been treated with levity.
He said the matter is a criminal trial and a fair trial should be held.
Justice Fisher ruled that the application made for the passport of Samura been release to him to travel is refused and his lawyers should renew their applications on 4 May 2023 and it should have sufficient information in the application.
The matter was adjourned to 14 July, 2023 for continuation.