There was drama at an Ado-Ekiti High Court on Thursday as seven persons accused of complicity in the murder of former National Union of Road Transpogrt Workers (NURTW) Chairman Omolafe Aderiye disowned lawyer who had announced appearance for them.
Standing trial in the case are: Adebayo Aderiye (a.k.a. Ojuigo), Adeniyi Adedipe (a.k.a Apase), Sola Durodola, Oso Farotimi (a.k.a. Oso Polo), Ajayi Kayode (a.k.a. Sir Kay), Joseph Olanbiwonnu (a.ka. Mentilo) and Sola Adenijo (a.k.a. Solar).
Omolafe was murdered on September 25, 2014 and the state instituted a case of murder against the accused in October of the same year shortly after Governor Ayo Fayose came to power. The slain former NURTW chair was an associate of Fayose.
The case has been stalled at the lower court over the non-hearing of an application filed by the state at the Court of Appeal, Ado-Ekiti.
Family members and associates of the accused had on Monday staged a public protest at the Court of Appeal premises where they urged the judges to expedite action on applications and motions before them to allow for conclusion of trial at the High Court.
Drama started after three lawyers announced their appearances before Justice Lekan Ogunmoye. Ahmed Tafa apeared for the prosecution while Olowofela Adebayo announced appearance for the 5th and 7th defendants (Farotimi and Adenijo). Pamela Isinkinma appeard for the 4th defendant (Kayode).
The accused who were already inside the court grumbled openly about the appearance of Olowofela whom they described as a “complete stranger to the case” saying they were suspecting foul play about development.
Justice Ogunmoye was watching the unfolding drama from his seat while family members and associates of the accused were bemused and murmured inside the courtroom.
Aderiye fired the first salvo: “From which chamber are you?” The same question was echoed by Adenijo who also added in Yoruba: “iwo o kii n se loya wa o” which means: “you are not our lawyer.”
Adedipe said: “My lord, we don’t know this lawyer and we can’t allow him to speak for anyone of us. If indeed he is our lawyer, he should have come to us before hearing commenced and exchanged pleasantries with us. That is the normal scenario but we don’t know him Sir.”
As the counsel were agreeing on a new date for the case, Olanbiwonnu told Olowofela in Yoruba: “Ma mu deeti fun wa o, ki lo n se ogbeni yii” which means: “Don’t pick any date for us, what is wrong with this fellow?”
Adedipe added: “Even the prosecutor greeted us when he arrived but this lawyer that wants to appear for us did not greet us when he came. My lord, they will run to Supreme (Court) again ooo.”
“The point is that if judgment is given (at Appeal Court) and it favours prosecution, then we come back and if it is the other way, you bring the record here and if judgment is given, I can’t work on the second day of the judgment.”
The judge subsequently adjourned the case to the 9th of June, 2017 for mention.
Outside the courtroom, supporters of the accused under the aegis of Ekiti Progressives Movement distributed leaflets containing the affidavit of the Gbolahan Okeowo, the personal assistant of the late ex-NURTW boss who claimed that the accused knew nothing about the murder.
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