By Adeyinka Adeniran
Thursday further hearing of a case involving a former Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Oyo State, Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi, also known as Auxiliary was was stalled as officials of the Nigerian Correctional Services delayed in arriving with the suspect in court.
Although, the Judge was said to have arrived early in court, the swearing-in ceremony of new judges in Oyo State which also held yesterday also didn’t help matters.
However, Justice Bayo Taiwo of Fiat Court 2, Oyo State High Court, Ring road Ibadan, said the case, earlier adjourned on November 27 to Thursday (December 5) will now resume on December 20 for further hearing.
The Nation reports that Auxiliary who was also a former Chairman of the State Disciplinary Committee of the Park Management System (PMS) is facing trial on 17 count charge bothering on armed robbery, murder, attempted murder, possession of firearm, including, one AK-47 assault rifle, two SMG riffle with magazine.
The offence, according to the Prosecutor is contrary to any punishable under Section 1(2)(a) and (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, CAP RII, Vol.14, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The matter with suit number I/74c/2024: State Versus Mukaila Lamidi (Auxiliary) is before Justice Bayo Taiwo of Fiat Court 2, Oyo State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan
The defendant had pleaded not guilty to 17 count charge read to him on November 27th, 2024.
The prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr S. O. Adeoye, had on November 27 opened trial by calling on two witnesses to give their oral testimonies.
Two witness including: Mr Fatai Isiaka (Prosetion Witness 1) and Mr Ademola Johnson (PW2) were called to give their oral witnesses.
Sixteen more witnesses have been listed to come before the court to give their account against the defendant.
The case is one of the ongoing trials of the former Oyo NURTW boss.
The case bothers on offences allegedly committed on 29th of May, 2023 at about 2PM at the Ikolaba, Ibadan residence of Governor Seyi Makinde.
The Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security, CP Sunday Odukoya (rtd) was also in court to observe the proceedings.
