Ekiti: Murder suspects reject lawyer during trial

Kamarudeen Ogundele, Ado Ekiti

There was a mild drama at an Ado Ekiti High Court on Thursday as seven persons standing trial in the murder of a former Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Omolafe Aderiye, disowned a lawyer, who announced appearance for them.

The suspects are Adebayo Aderiye (a.k.a. Ojuigo), Adeniyi Adedipe (a.k.a Apase), Sola Durodola, Oso Farotimi (a.k.a. Oso Polo), Ajayi Kayode (a.k.a. Sir Kay), Joseph Olanbiwonnu (a.ka. Mentilo) and Sola Adenijo (a.k.a. Solar).

Omolafe, a loyalist of Governor Ayodele Fayose, was murdered on September 25, 2014.

Drama started after three lawyers announced their appearances before Justice Lekan Ogunmoye.

Mr Ahmed Tafa appeared for the prosecution while Adebayo Olowofela announced appearance for Farotimi and Adenijo. Pamela Isinkinma appeared for Kayode.

Aderiye said, “From which chamber are you? My lord, we don’t know this lawyer and we can’t allow him to speak for anyone of us.

“If, indeed, he is our lawyer, he should have come to us before hearing commenced and exchanged pleasantries with us. That is the normal scenario but we don’t know him, sir.”

The same question was echoed by Adenijo who also added in Yoruba, “Iwo o kii n se loya wa o,” which means, “You are not our lawyer.”

Adedipe added, “Even the prosecutor greeted us when he arrived but this lawyer that wants to appear for us did not greet us when he came. My lord, they will run to Supreme (Court) again ooo.”

As the counsel was agreeing on a new date for the case, Olanbiwoninu told Olowofela in Yoruba, “Ma mu deeti fun wa o, ki lo nse ogbeni yi?” which means, “Don’t pick any date for us, what is wrong with this fellow?”

After watching the drama, Justice Ogunmoye subsequently adjourned the case till June 9, 2017 for mention.

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