IBADAN – ABBEY TROTSKY’S TRIAL ADJOURNED AGAIN

The matter adjourned till 29th July, 2024.

The case of trumped-up criminal charges instituted against Comrade Abiodun Bamigboye, popularly known as Abbey Trotsky by the police Zone 11, Oshogbo at the instance of SUMAL FOOD LIMITED, Ibadan came up on Tuesday, 20th February, 2024 at Court 6 Magistrate Court Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State. The court session commenced around 9:30am during which Barrister Alfred Adegoke, a National Executive Committee (NEC) member of the Socialist Party of Nigeria, SPN, who appeared as amicus curiae (Friend of the court) addressed and advised the court against the earlier threat to proceed with the trial without Abbey Trotsky having a legal representation.

It will be recalled that the court at its last sitting on the December 20th, 2023 threatened that it  would proceed with the trial whether or not Abbey Trotsky has a legal representation at its next adjourned date. This was after the court had  rebuffed the attempt to adequately inform her of the impending appeal at the Court of Appeal against the ruling delivered by Honorable Magistrate M.A Amole-Ajimoti (Mrs) which was later upheld by the high court. The ruling disqualifies Mr Adeyinka Olumide Fusika, a counsel defending Abbey Trotsky because he is a Senior Advocate.

According to Barrister Alfred Adegoke, it will amount to an infringement on Abbey’s democratic right to fair hearing as stipulated in section 36(4) of the 1999 Constitution as amended if the court proceed with the trial without him having a legal representation especially when his insistence on Mr Adeyinka Olumide Fusika, SAN, as the counsel of his choice is in agreement with and supported by the section 36(6) (d) of the same 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The court was obviously persuaded by the submission of Barrister Alfred Adegoke and rescinded the plan to proceed. The magistrate ruled that he was  constrained by the appeal at the higher court against the disqualification of Abbey Trotsky choice of counsel and adjourned the matter till July 29 2024 for further mention.

A protest was later staged at the entrance of the court premises by members of the Campaign for Democratic and Workers Rights, CDWR and other civil society organizations. The was used to call for immediate intervention of the national leaderships of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC,  towards ending the continuous persecution of Abbey Trotsky. The NLC and TUC were also called upon to  commence a serious campaign against casualization and other indecent labour practices in workplaces across the country.

The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) once again expresses its appreciation to Citipoint Chambers, Barrister Alfred Adegoke, Ola Adeosun Victoria Chamber, journalists, trade union organizations, other left organisations and different sections of Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI) for all of the legal, political and financial support and solidarity enjoyed since this persecution of Abbey Trotsky started in 2019. We shall continue to rely on your support and solidarity until we are victorious in our struggle against the injustice and casualization including all forms of slavery working condition in workplaces across Oyo State and country at large.

Comrade Ayodeji Adigun

For the CDWR, Oyo State Chapter

E-mail: [email protected]