Omolafe’s murder: Prosecution to close case July 27

An Ado Ekiti High Court has ruled that the prosecution in the murder case of the late former State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Chief Omolafe Aderiye, must close its case on July 27.
Justice Lekan Ogunmoye in a ruling at the resumed hearing of the case on Wednesday stressed that the adjournment would be the last for the prosecution after which the defence would open its case.

The development followed the absence of prosecution counsel, Mr. Tafa Ahmed, who wrote a letter to the court that he could not appear because he was sick urging the court to adjourn the matter to July 27.
The defence lawyers in the case expressed dismay with the develpment but the judge said Ahmed’s sickness was a ground for adjournment but emphasized that: “this adjournment would definitely be the last and if he (Ahmed) is not ready that day, he will be forced to close his case.”
Justice Ogunmoye consequently adjourned the case to Thursday, July 27 for further hearing.

Seven persons standing trial for alleged complicity in the murder are Adebayo Aderiye a.ka. Ojugo (1st), Adeniyi Adedipe a.k.a. Apase (2nd), Sola Durodola (3rd), Ajayi Kayode (4th), Oso Farotimi a.k.a. Oso Polo (5th), Sola Adenijo a.k.a. Solar (6th) and Rotimi Olanbiwonnu a.k.a. Mentilo (7th).
Counsel to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants, Mr. Biodun Fasakin, told the court that he was given a copy of Ahmed’s letter few minutes before hearing commenced.
Counsel to the 5th and 7th defendants, Mr. Lekan Olatawura, expressed disappointment with the development urged the court to admit his clients to bail.

Counsel to the 6th defendant, Chief Anthony Adeniyi, said he received a text message from Ahmed who claimed that his blood pressure was “very high” and that he was in a hospital.
Adeniyi noted that several adjournments suffered by the case were at the instance of the prosecution wondering “we dont know what would happen on the next adjourned date.”
Aderiye was murdered on September 25, 2014 at his business office in Ijigbo area of Ado-Ekiti while the trial of the accused persons commenced shortly after Governor Ayo Fayose came to office on October 16 of the same year.