Edun lead lawyers to defend right activist, Israel Joe in Court in Cyberstalking, Conspiracy

Former National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Kunle Edun today led a team of lawyers to defend a Niger Delta human right Activist, Comrade Israel Joe in a case of alleged cyberstalking and conspiracy at the Federal High Court, Warri, Delta State.

https://youtu.be/zqtw77wKv30?si=Nm1U4DpEj9LwEqRV

Edun was at the Court with Mr. Oghenetega.C. Ikpen Esq and Mr. K.E. Aizebeoje. 

The legal practitioner said himself and the two other lawyers were at the court to defend Joe "pro bono". 

Edun who declined comments on the matter in court, said they are ready to tackle their opponents legally in their numbers.  

He noted that the matter has been adjourned to July 8. 

According to Edun,"We are here in a case of a cyberstalking, for now we don't want to comment on the merit of the case. However, we are fully ready to defend me isreal Joe  and to send a message out there that we are the watchdog of the society that if they come in their hundred folds, we will come in our million folds.  

"There will be no longer  impunity in Delta State and that is why we have choosen to defend Mr. Israel Joe.  Probono. Like I did say that am not going to comment on the matter."

The matter has been adjoined to 8 of July, 2024. That very day you will see some fireworks.  Thank you

The case is between the Inspector-General of Police,IGP versus Israel Joe, convener of the #Endhardship# protest in Warri. 

He(Joe) was charged to the federal high court by the Inspector-General of Police for alleged "cyberstalking" and "conspiracy". 

It would be recalled that Comrade Joe would have been remanded in prison custody if he had been in court in the last sitting.

It was a narrow escape for him as his Counsel, one Barrister Oghenetega.C. Ikpen pleaded that he will ensure the human right activist appear to take his plea in the next sitting. 

He said they were served the suit yesterday and she had to rush and appear in court on his behalf. That was what saved the situation.

Police Counsel, one Irabor prayed the court to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of Comrade Israel Joe. 

The Presiding Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice I.M. Sani refused the prayers of the police to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of Comrade Israel Joe. 

He said since the counsel to Comrade Joe had undertaken to make the defendant appear in Court, why will he issue a bench warrant? 

It was learnt that Comrade Israel Joe, convener of the #Endhardship# protest in Warri and environ was arrested for the venue of the protest early this year. 

Attempts to arraign him on "terrorism" for which he was arrested for, during the protest failed. 

It would also gathered that the Comrade Joe recovered more than ₦89million from the Inspector-General of Police,IGP early this year.

It further gathered that it was for this reason trump up charges and malicious prosecution were allegedly preferred against him.  

Comrade Joe had restrained the Delta State Government in a separate suit brought against him by some other human right activist before he was dragged to the Federal High Court in Warri.

It is not clear if the Inspector-General of Police is aware of the development in Court at the time of this report.