ii. The right to equality before the law and equal protection before the law, protected by Article 3(1) and (2). iii. The right to a fair trial, protected by Article 7(1)(c) of the Charter. III. SUMMARY OF THE PROCEDURE BEFORE THE COURT 9. On 8 June 2016, the Registry received the Application, which was served on the Respondent State on 3 August 2016, and on the other entities stated in Rule 42(4) of the Rules on 8 September 2016. 10. The Parties filed their pleadings on the merits within the time-limits set by the Court. However, the Respondent State did not file its response to the Applicant’s submissions on reparations despite several extensions of time. 11. Pleadings were closed on 26 July 2023 and the Parties were duly notified. IV. PRAYERS OF THE PARTIES 12. The Applicant requests the Court to: i. Declare the Application admissible; ii. Restore justice, overturn his conviction and order his release; and iii. Order any other measures it deems appropriate in the circumstances of the case. 13. In his submissions on reparation, the Applicant prays the Court to: i. Order his acquittal pursuant to Article 27(1) of the Protocol, after finding that the Respondent State violated Article 7(1)(c) of the Charter by failing to afford him with a lawyer of his own choosing, both at trial and on appeal; and 4