YENAGOA—THE absence of Justice Aliya Nganjiwa of a Federal Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, yesterday, stalled the trial of Yunusa Dahiru, who is standing trial on a five-count charge of abduction, sexual exploitation and having unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor, Miss Ese Oruru.

Justice Nganjiwa, it will be recalled had adjourned the matter to yesterday, for hearing on the substantive charge, haven granted the prosecution’s request to take the evidence of Eses Oruru in private, but the court did  not sit as the trial judge, it was gathered was away for a meeting.

At 9a.m., journalists and rights activists had throng the court,  only to learn that the court will not sit.

Confirming the development, Kayode Olaosebekan, counsel to the accused, said he was not informed of the judge’s absence, adding that he was only informed of the development on his arrival at the court.