Detained Leader of the Niger Delta People Volunteer Force, Mujaheeden Asari Dokubo turned the court room into a political podium yesterday threatening that his continued detention will only aggravate the volatile situation in the oil rich Niger Delta region.
Looking defiant as ever at the court yesterday, Dokubo asked the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to stay proceedings in the charge of treasonable felony levelled against him pending the determination of an appeal against the ruling of Justice Peter Olayiwola where the trial judge declined to disqualify himself from the case over allegation of bias.
Dokubo, a self acclaimed freedom fighter in the volatile Niger Delta region, is standing trial before the court on a five-count charge of treason but has insisted that he was not guilty of the said charges since his arraignment in October last year.
He was brought to court at about 9.00 a.m. wearing a black T-shirt over black trousers and accompanied by stern looking security agents.
His counsel, Festus Keyamo explained at yesterday�s sitting that he had filed an appeal against the January 17, 2006 ruling of Justice Babs Kuewumi on the request of Dokubo that Justice Olayiwola should disqualify himself from the case.
Before Justice Olayiwola adjourned further hearing to May 5, 2006, the Federal Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Saliyu Aliyu asked the court to give him some time to react to the motion asking for stay of proceeding.
In a chat with newsmen shortly after court proceedings Dokubo said:,�I challenge Obasanjo and I can tell you, the battle line is already drawn. It is Allah that gives life and take life. Obasanjo has already shot himself up and he shall surely be brought down�.
Source: Thisday