GROUP FAULTS ORDERLY-ROOM TRIAL OF TRAFFIC WARDENS

ABUJA- A human rights group, International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law, yesterday, faulted the 'orderly-room trial' of some traffic wardens in Abuja, over allegation of betrayal of trust and confidence.

The group had called for the unconditional release of Emmanuel Mlanga, detained since July 8, 2011 in Wuse Police cell,  Adamu Dogara, detained since July 12 in Asokoro Police cell, and TWGD 111 David Oyishoma, detained since July 30, in Wuse Police cell or their trial .

The group which also accused the Inspector General of Police of masterminding the clamp down and detention without trial of the wardens, argued that the actioncontravened the Nigerian constitution.

Chairman of the group, Mr. Emeka Umeagbalasi, said in a statement: 'Apart from criminal denial of adequate legal representation, no adequate time was given to the warders to prepare for the so-called 'trial.' They were also not informed of the imminence of the 'trial,' and whether they would submit themselves to such 'trial.'

'They were not formally informed of the so-called offences they 'committed, except at the trial venue.  There are subsisting Appellate Court's pronouncements, which nullified obnoxious features or principles of the 'Orderly-Room Trial,' and for any 'Orderly-Room Trial' to be satisfactorily evaluated, it must possess the above features and more.

'If the authorities of the Nigeria Police Force, headed by Mr Hafiz Ringim goes ahead and mete out sanctions predicated on such unconstitutional proceedings, the courts shall be invited to quash them with huge financial costs against the Police authorities.'