The trial of Seidu Adeyemi the killer of Khadijat, the daughter of a former deputy governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, at the Ondo State High Court could not proceed as there was no lawyer to represent the accused person in the court. 

The State High Court sitting in Akure the state capital resumed the hearing of the murder case against Adeyemi on Monday but there was no legal appearance for the defendant.  

Adeyemi was arrested by the Ondo State Police Command in July for allegedly killing the former deputy governor’s daughter for a ritual purpose at his house at Oke Aro area of Akure. He allegedly buried the deceased inside his room for six days. 

At the court on Monday, the leader of the prosecution team and the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Kola Olawoye, told the court that all necessary documents had been served and that the trial is expected to commence.

While lamenting the inability of the defendant to have a legal representation, Olawoye explained that it was constitutional for a defendant to have a legal representation for the sake of fair hearing.

He said, “By law,  in a capital offence of this nature, a defendant must be represented by a counsel. That is his constitutional right to fair hearing.

“We discovered after serving all the processes on him personally that he was without any legal representative and It is a must before the next adjournment date.

“He must provide a lawyer of his choice to represent him as provided by the law but if he failed after two adjournments then the court will be forced to pick a lawyer for him.” 

Olawoye noted that the state was interested in the case because of the circumstances leading to the death of the deceased.

“The state decided to take up the case in order to know what led to the death of the deceased, and we want the defendant to explain to the whole world the part he took in the killing of the lady if any.”

In his ruling, the judge, Justice Samuel Bola ordered the prison officials to liaise with the prison welfare officer to contact the defendant’s family in order to provide a lawyer to represent him in the trial and assured that the suit would be given an accelerated hearing. 

The judge stated that the constitution recognised the right to legal aid as an integral component to a fair trial.

He adjourned the case till October 2, 2019. 

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