Ololade Adeyanju/
Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), appeared as the lead prosecution counsel when the murder trial of the owner of Hilton Hotel, Dr. Rahmon Adedoyin and six of his workers, arraigned in connection with the death of late Timothy Adegoke, a Master’s student at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, commenced today in an Osun State High Court sitting, Osogbo.
Justice Adepele Ojo had on March 31, declared that a prima facie case has been established against Adedoyin and his co-accused, while ruling on the no-case submission filed by the defendants.
Adedoyin and six others including, Magdalene Chiefuna, Adeniyi Aderogba, Oluwale Lawrence, Oyetunde Kazeem, Adebayo Kunle and Adedeji Adesola were arraigned on 11- count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, tampering with corpse, altering of receipt and administration of extrajudicial oath, among others.
At the commencement of trial today, Falana announced his appearance as the lead prosecution counsel by virtue of a fiat he had obtained from the Attorney-General of Osun State.
His appearance was however opposed by counsels to the defendants, who insisted that Falana ought to have written formally to the court to announce his appearance in the suit.
After listening to arguments and counter-arguements on the appropriateness of Falana appearance, the judge rose for some minutes to allow counsels resolve the impasse.
When the court resumed, Falana told the trial judge that counsels had agreed that trial could continue pending the time he would formally write to the court as demanded by the defence.
Thereafter, the defence informed the judge about the ill-health of the second accused, who reportedly slumped in court, as well as the absence of a member of the defence team, Roland Otaru, due to an engagement at the Supreme Court.
Based on these developments, the judge adjourned hearing till May 25 to 31.
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