The trial of alleged perversion of Justice instituted against a Lagos based pastor, Jude Ojo, took a manipulative twist as the counsel to the defendant told the court to stall proceedings.
The 57-year-old clergyman was arraigned on a three count charge of conspiracy, perversion of the course of justice and aiding the escape of suspects who allegedly threatened the life of the traditional ruler of Otumara community in Lagos, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye.
During the commencement of trial at the Magistrate Court in Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, the defense counsel, I. Ilodigo, told the Court there is a pending fundamental rights enforcement procedure filed at the Lagos High Court in which the defendant is an applicant.
He said, “My Lord, we are asking the court to stall proceedings pending the determination of the fundamental rights suit. Our application is for stall of proceedings on this matter pending the determination of the fundamental rights enforcement procedure filed at the High Court wherein the defendant in this matter is an applicant. My Lord, our application is brought so as not to pre-empt the decision of the honourable court.”
Countering the move, the prosecuting counsel, John Iveredem, told the court that the matter being dealt with is a criminal matter and not about fundamental rights violation.
He said, “This matter is a criminal proceed and not a fundamental rights violation. The matter filed at the High Court is about fundamental rights violation while this matter is a criminal proceeding. There are two cases apart. Your Honour, the Learned Justice of the High Court did not make any order fully aware of the proceedings at this magistrate court. The second count charge of the trial is a criminal charge of perversion of Justice.”
Consequent to the evasion of justice by the dethroned traditional ruler of Otumara community, Ladi Arowojolu, Shola Adegun and three others, the police in an amended charge arraigned Ojo before Ogba magistrate court on three count charge of conspiracy, perversion of Justice, and aiding.
ALSO READ: Police nab two bandits in Zaria, recover AK-47 rifle
The charge reads, “That you Jude Ojo ‘M’ and others at large on the 31st of December, 2023 at about 1900hrs at the CP Special squad, Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did apply and stood surety or bail for Shola Adegun, Festus Arowojolu, Friday Arowojolu, Rotimi Arowojolu who were involved in a case of conspiracy, conduct likely to cause breach of peace and threat to life, wherein you promised to produce the said persons on the 2nd of January 2024 at about 0900hrs and every subsequent date as disposed of or forfeit the sum of five hundred thousand naira to the Lagos State government but breached same by failing and refusing to produce the persons despite repeated requests and thereby perverted the course of justice contrary to Section 97 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.
That you, Jude Ojo and others at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did aid to escape from lawful custody of the police one Shola Adegun, Festus Arowojolu, Rotimi Arowojolu and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 107 of the Criminal law of the Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
That you, Jude Ojo and others at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did stand as a surety and enter into recognizance in bond sum of Five hundred thousand naira for the bail of Shola Adegun, Festus Arowojolu, Friday Arowojolu and Rotimi Arowojolu who you promise to produce on January 2nd, 2024 and subsequent dates and which you failed to produce the said persons. You are hereby ordered to show cause why the recognizance bond of five hundred thousand naira you entered into should not be forfeited to the government in pursuant to Section 132 of Administration of Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
Magistrate Antoinette Dirisu of the Magistrate Court in Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, fixed July 9, 2024, to rule on the matter.
and then