The court arraignment of alleged four suspects arrested in connection with the attack on some commercial banks at Ikirun in Osun State could not commence on Wednesday (today) due to absence of counsel for two of the suspects.
The suspects – Nuhu Jimoh, Ndubisi David, Aderibigbe Oluwaseun and Ogundunmade Kayode – were brought to the state High Court, Ikirun, on Wednesday by armed prison wardens and policemen.
When the matter was called, counsel for two of the suspects, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Akintajuwa, informed the court that she was representing the second and the fourth accused.
Akintajuwa said, “My co-defence counsel has backed out of the case because she has been standing in for the two accused persons ( Nuhu Jimoh and Aderibigbe Oluwaseun) without payment.”
She, however, prayed the court to hear the application for bail of the second and fourth defendants, David and Kayode.
The counsel said Kayode had a mental challenge, praying the court to release him on bail so that he could be treated.
The presiding judge, Justice Jide Falola, said the weight of the alleged offence demanded that all the defendants should be represented in court by counsel before reading their charges to them.
He said, “The accused should be represented in court before any charge could be read. The matter must be adjourned till the needful is done.”
Another lawyer, Mr. A. Ogundari, told the court that he would stand in for Nuhu and Oluwaseun. He pleaded with the judge to adjourn the case to enable him to study the files of his clients.
The Attorney General in Osun State, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, who led the prosecuting team, did not raise any objection to the prayer of the new defence counsel, but urged the court to adjourn the case till November 2.
He said, “We have our witnesses in court and we are willing to start prosecution.”
The judge ordered that the suspects should be remanded in custody and adjourned the matter till Thursday (today) for ruling on the bail application.
The suspects – Nuhu Jimoh, Ndubisi David, Aderibigbe Oluwaseun and Ogundunmade Kayode – were brought to the state High Court, Ikirun, on Wednesday by armed prison wardens and policemen.
When the matter was called, counsel for two of the suspects, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Akintajuwa, informed the court that she was representing the second and the fourth accused.
Akintajuwa said, “My co-defence counsel has backed out of the case because she has been standing in for the two accused persons ( Nuhu Jimoh and Aderibigbe Oluwaseun) without payment.”
She, however, prayed the court to hear the application for bail of the second and fourth defendants, David and Kayode.
The counsel said Kayode had a mental challenge, praying the court to release him on bail so that he could be treated.
The presiding judge, Justice Jide Falola, said the weight of the alleged offence demanded that all the defendants should be represented in court by counsel before reading their charges to them.
He said, “The accused should be represented in court before any charge could be read. The matter must be adjourned till the needful is done.”
Another lawyer, Mr. A. Ogundari, told the court that he would stand in for Nuhu and Oluwaseun. He pleaded with the judge to adjourn the case to enable him to study the files of his clients.
The Attorney General in Osun State, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, who led the prosecuting team, did not raise any objection to the prayer of the new defence counsel, but urged the court to adjourn the case till November 2.
He said, “We have our witnesses in court and we are willing to start prosecution.”
The judge ordered that the suspects should be remanded in custody and adjourned the matter till Thursday (today) for ruling on the bail application.
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