The Olukere of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin, was absent at an Ado-Ekiti Magistrate’s Court on Monday. where he was supposed to stand trial for conspiracy, attempted murder and murder.
A prison officer, Mr. O. Osamuyiwa, told the court that the Olukere was “seriously sick” and on admission at the Prison Clinic.
Osamuyiwa told the court that Obasoyin was to be referred to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) for further medical attention.
The Olukere was charged to court for murder on December 27 in connection with violence that rocked the commissioning of his hotel Ikere-Ekiti on December 23.
He was charged alongside Adewole Sunday, Adetowoju Bode, Kayode Michael, Olowolafe Tola and Aluko Taiwo.
The other accused persons were present in court.
Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr. Gbemiga Adaramola, told the kourt that the state was taking over the prosecution of the case from the police.
He sought an adjournment to tender the necessary legal advice.
Counsel to the accused persons, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, kicked against an attempt to read the charge in the absence of the Olukere.
But presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Dupe Afeniforo, said there was nothing to worry about Adeyemi’s concern since the plea of the accused had not been taken.
Mrs. Afeniforo ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody pending legal advice and adjourned the case till January 19.
Human rights lawyer and an Ikere indigene, Morakinyo Ogele, expressed dismay that the matter has been “politicised.”
Ogele faulted the DPP’s bid to take over the case saying “his advice is going to be affected by bias.”
He said: “There is no way the accused will get reasonable legal advice from the Ministry of Justice; I wonder why the Ministry of Justice has become a robot in the hands of the state government.”
Comments