The
trial of the 10 accused persons involved in the torture of Ajoke Agomo
and her children over alleged theft of pepper in Ejigbo market two years
ago was stalled again, on Tuesday, at a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja owing to the absence of prosecution witness.
At the resumed hearing of the matter, the prosecuting state counsel, Bola Akinsete, told the trial judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, that their witness was held up on the road owing to a heavy rainfall.
Akinsete told the court that the witness left Porto Novo, Republic of Benin, for Lagos but that the journey was impeded by a heavy rainfall.
Insisting that she had been in contact with the witness, she told the court that the witness was to arrive Lagos later on Tuesday.
She prayed the court to adjourn the matter till Wednesday, assuring that the witness would be in court to give evidence.
Responding, Olukoyede Ademiluyi, holding brief to counsel to the second and third defendants, Tunji Busari, while not opposing the request, however, told the court that the prosecution ought to have taken steps to ensure that the witness was in court.
"This is a case that must be tried expeditiously and not one to be dragged," he said, noting that it was the second time the prosecution was asking for adjournment since the trial commenced in March.
Ademiluyi urged the court to go on with other witnesses, pointing out that it appeared the prosecution was not ready to go on with the matter.
Justice Ipaye however adjourned the matter till Wednesday and Thursday.
The Lagos State government had charged Ahmed Adisa, Isiaka Waidi, Saheed Adisa, Lateef Tijani, Oloruntoyin Dauda, Adekunle Adenuga, Azeez Akinosun, Jimoh Busari, Buhari Yusuf, and Abdullahi Harun to court for their involvement in the torture and molestation of the women.
They are accused of conspiracy, attempted murder, sexual assault, malicious administering of poison, obtaining money by false pretences and deprivation of liberty.
At the resumed hearing of the matter, the prosecuting state counsel, Bola Akinsete, told the trial judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, that their witness was held up on the road owing to a heavy rainfall.
Akinsete told the court that the witness left Porto Novo, Republic of Benin, for Lagos but that the journey was impeded by a heavy rainfall.
Insisting that she had been in contact with the witness, she told the court that the witness was to arrive Lagos later on Tuesday.
She prayed the court to adjourn the matter till Wednesday, assuring that the witness would be in court to give evidence.
Responding, Olukoyede Ademiluyi, holding brief to counsel to the second and third defendants, Tunji Busari, while not opposing the request, however, told the court that the prosecution ought to have taken steps to ensure that the witness was in court.
"This is a case that must be tried expeditiously and not one to be dragged," he said, noting that it was the second time the prosecution was asking for adjournment since the trial commenced in March.
Ademiluyi urged the court to go on with other witnesses, pointing out that it appeared the prosecution was not ready to go on with the matter.
Justice Ipaye however adjourned the matter till Wednesday and Thursday.
The Lagos State government had charged Ahmed Adisa, Isiaka Waidi, Saheed Adisa, Lateef Tijani, Oloruntoyin Dauda, Adekunle Adenuga, Azeez Akinosun, Jimoh Busari, Buhari Yusuf, and Abdullahi Harun to court for their involvement in the torture and molestation of the women.
They are accused of conspiracy, attempted murder, sexual assault, malicious administering of poison, obtaining money by false pretences and deprivation of liberty.