There was watertight security at the premises of Oyo State, High Court with the presence of the former Chairman of the Park Management System (PMS), Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi popularly known as Auxiliary who is standing trial on a 17-count charge in Ibadan on Monday.
A 17-count charge as stated in suit no, 1/74c/2024, State versus Lamidi bothering on murder, attempted murder, armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms.
Security agencies’ patrol vans were strategically positioned to forestall breakdown of law and order in the Court
Nigerian Tribune recalls that the case had earlier been adjourned for hearing today, (Monday).
However, the Presiding Justice O.A. Adetujoye of Fiat court 5 has ordered that the case file should be transferred to the Chief Judge for reassignment to another Court.
He submitted that since the Counsel to both parties could not agree on whether the two cases should be handled by the Court, hence the resolution that the Chief Judge should move it to another Court for hearing.
According to the Presiding Judge “Two of such charges are before my Justice Adetujoye. The first one relates to the alleged criminal offences that took place at the residence of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on the 29th day of May, 2020 with suit number I/74c/2024. It was scheduled for hearing on Monday, but could not proceed.
The second charge has to do with alleged criminal offences that took place in Igbora during the campaign leading to 2023 general elections.
Justice Adetujoye had earlier requested if the parties involved would agree to the court hearing the two different cases of the defendant before her but counsel to the defendant, Mr. Olalekan Ojo SAN submitted his client would prefer that the two cases be heard by different courts.
But the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr S. O Adeoye who led the team of lawyers on behalf of the State told the court that the state had no objection to the request.of the Court.
Counsel to the defendant argued that if the Court starts the hearing of the case as scheduled, the other matter should be transferred to another court.
He submitted that he raised the objection after due consultation with his client and after taking into consideration so many variables.
However, the Presiding Judge explained that if any matter would be transfered, it would be the one scheduled for hearing on Monday since it was an offence that was committed within Ibadan jurisdiction.
She added that the other matter that happened in Igboora would be retained by her Court since Eruwa/Igboora was her original jurisdiction but also sitting in Ibadan as a Fiat Court.
The offence as alleged is contrary to any punishable under Section 1(2)(a) and (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, CAP RII, Vol.14, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
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