FAYOSE EX-AIDE, HOUSE OF REP. MEMBER ARRAIGNED FOR DOUBLE MURDER

A former Personal Assistant to Governor Ayo Fayose during his first tenure, Goke Olatunji , was on Tuesday arraigned at an Ado - Ekiti High Court over an alleged double murder.

The offences were allegedly committed 11 years ago .

Also charged with him is a member of House of Representatives, Mr Thaddeus Aina , who was absent in court .

The two men were charged with the murders of the then Holland- based Mr Tunde Omojola and a World Bank Consultant , Dr . Ayodeji Daramola .

The trial was however stalled because of the absence of Aina, said to have gone abroad for medical treatment .

The two murder cases were consolidated at the request of the lawyers to both parties .
Omojola was killed in Ifaki Ekiti in 2006 during a councillorship election while Daramola was murdered in Ijan Ekiti on August 14 , 2006 .

Both murders were committed under the first term of Governor Fayose .

When the case was brought before Justice Adewale Fowe, on Tuesday , the prosecuting counsel, Mr Adekunle Adetowubo , told the court that Aina , who is currently representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency II , had been flown abroad for medical treatment over undisclosed ailment .

Both Adetowubo and counsel to the defendants , Mr Adedayo Adewumi , sought a brief adjournment and also prayed the court to issue a Witness summon, so that all the witnesses can be brought to court at the next adjournment date .

Adetowubo said , “ My lord , the counsel to the 2nd respondent had told me that he was sick

“ The purpose of this case is to prosecute and not to persecute . Again , only the living can be tried and not the dead

“ We pray that he recover soon and by the time he will appear , the trial can be heard expeditiously

“ We can’ t continue with this case until the 2nd defendant appears in court because this is a criminal case

“ Ordinarily , we would have requested for a Bench Warrant to bring him to court , but we have done our own findings and we found out that he was truly flown abroad for treatment

“ My lord , this adjournment does not mean we are withdrawing the charges against him , we are not even ready for that .

“ Some of those granted bail, in this case , could not be found now, but the 2nd respondent has consistently been coming to court . So we want him granted this opportunity to appear when his health is restored

“ What we intended to do today is to mention the case , but under this circumstance , we oblige your lordship to give us a new date so that we can come with our witnesses

“ We know that this case has a chequered history but we still need patience since the defendant was only exercising his fundamental rights” , he added .

The Counsel to the respondent aligned with the submission of the prosecuting counsel that a brief adjournment is needed under this circumstance , urging them to tidy up their case for speedy trial of the accused persons .

In his ruling , Justice Fowe , who had earlier objected to adjournment said : “ This matter has stayed for long and I wish we continue now

“ But since both parties had sought for this adjournment under the circumstance , I hereby adjourn the case to April 27 , 2017 , for hearing .

“ I also direct that all processes be served on the prosecuting witnesses to appear in court on that day ”, he ruled .
( NAN)

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