By Jimitota Onoyume
PORT HARCOURT— The Federal Government has called on the Rivers State government to discontinue with the trial of four former militants  in the state. 

They are George Adumu, Wellborn Isaiah, Loveday Samuel and Luke Loveday.

In a letter, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN,  said the Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice should stop the trial as any contrary action will violate the spirit of the presidential amnesty granted repentant militants in the region.

The letter noted that since the offence for which they were being tried was committed in 2008,  it fell within the period of the amnesty.

“I wish to draw your attention to the above matter and to seek your kind review of the cases involving the accused persons since the offences for which they are being prosecuted were allegedly committed in 2008, which falls within the period covered by the Presidential Amnesty,”  it read.

The Federal Government in the letter which was copied, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Mr. Timi Alaibe, and the National Security Adviser,  said the stoppage of the trial will enable the former militant be involved in the rehabilitation phase of the amnesty programme, which is due to take off .

“Your necessary action in the above regard will go a long way in dousing any restiveness that may be brewing among the ranks of the former militants as a result of the non_release of these four suspects and facilitate the achievement of the objectives of this laudable and historical programme,” the letter said.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State High Court has adjourned the trial of the former  militants to June 22.