Human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, and the government of Osun state have taken over the prosecution of a murder case involving the owner of Hilton hotel and resort, Ile-Ife, Dr. Rahmon Adedoyin and six staff of the hotel.
The case had been adjourned to Monday, April 25 to enable the defendants open their defense.
At the resume hearing in Osogbo, Mr Femi Falana announced appearance and told the court that he had secured the permission of the Attorney General of the state to take over the prosecution from the police.
But, counsel to the 2nd, 4th and 5th defendants, Abdur-Rasheed Muritala SAN, insisted that Attorney General must take over the matter from the police who were prosecuting the matter from inception before he could transfer the matter to any other person.
The counsel also said the Administrator-General and Public Trustee in the state Ministry of Justice, Mr Abiodun Badiora, could not take over the matter.
After some argument, Mr Falana re-announced his appearance with Mr Badiora and a Chief State Counsel, Mr Moses Faremi as prosecutor for the case.
Counsel to the first defendant, Adedoyin, Mr Kunle Eleja SAN, told the court that his client had no witness to call in his defence, since he had made a no case Submission.
But, Muritala SAN said he could not prepare his witness because one of his clients slumped in court and would need to take care of her health.
The counsel who also stood for Rowland Otaru SAN to represent the 3rd and 5th defendants urged the court to adjourn the matter.
The presiding judge, Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, thereby adjourned the case to May 25 for further hearing.
Earlier, there was confusion during the sitting in as the second defendant slumped moments after she was called into the dock.
It took the intervention of the court clerk, warders and some observers in the court to recuscitate her and averted what seemed like an unfolding tragedy.
Chief Rahaman Adedoyin, Magdalene Chiefuna (24), Adeniyi Aderogba (37), Oluwale Lawrence (37), Oyetunde Kazeem (38), Adebayo Kunle (35) and Adedeji Adesola (23), were arraigned on March 3 on 11 count charges bothering on conspiracy to commit murder, unlawful killing of Timothy Adegoke, conspiracy to commit a felony, dumping of the body of Adegoke, conspiracy to improperly and indecently interfere with the body of Adegoke, conspiracy to alter receipt, altering and cancelling of receipt and administering of extra-judicial oath in connection with the killings.
Adenitan Akinola
pub-5160901092443552
Related Posts
