the serious offence of armed robbery. This situation contravention of the principle of equality of arms. resulted In addition, the Applicant alleges that he was not given the opportunity to make rejoinder to the prosecution’s statement in during the hearing a of his appeal. Procedure 7. The Application was filed on 2 August 2013 and served on the Respondent by a letter dated 10 September 2013. Pursuant to the Rules of Court, by a letter dated 10 September 2013, the Applicatiori was notified to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and through the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to the Executive Council of the African Union and State Parties to the Protocol and requesting that any State Party to the Protocol wishing to intervene in the proceedings should do so as soon as possible, and in any case, before the closure of the written proceedings. 8. At the request of the Court, Pan African Lawyers’ Union (PALU) is representing the Applicant. 9. On 11 December 2013, and following the decision of the Court taken at its 31% Ordinary Session, the Registrar reminded the Respondent that it is yet to file a Response to the Application, that it had fifteen (15) days from receipt of the reminder within which to do so and to note Thereafter, on the provisions 16 December of Rule 2013, 55 of the Rules the Respondent of Court. requested an extension of time to file the Response, which the Court granted by thirty (30) days. en. aw