Judge to rule May 12 on private questioning of Ese Oruru

• Urhobo Progressives Union members storm court
A Federal High Court in Yenagoa, will on May 12 rule on whether or not the court will take the evidence of Ese Oruru in private.

Oruru is the Bayelsa girl who was allegedly abducted into forced marriage in Kano.

Meanwhile, there was a mild drama in the court premises as members of the Urhobo Progressives Union (UPU), came in large numbers.

Led by its National Secretary, Albert Akpomudje, SAN and the president of the youth wing, Comrade Ovie Anthony in company with the women wing occupied almost half of the chambers of the Federal Court Yenagoa, in solidarity with Miss Oruru.

Her abductor, Yunusa Dahiru, is standing trial on charges including illegally having carnal knowledge of the 15-year-old.

The prosecuting counsel, Kenneth Dike, had applied for Oruru’s evidence to be taken in private since she is a minor.

Justice Aliya Nganjiwa, while adjourning the case for ruling, said the court would ensure that justice prevails on the matter.

“We are sitting for the constitutional right of the victim, and for fair trial,” Dike said.

“For the interest of justice, we must protect her image and future.

“We are seeking the leave of the court to take the evidence of the victim in private, excluding every other persons except the parties and their counsel,” Dike said.

But Defence Counsel, Kayode Olaosebikan, opposed the application, saying there was no merit in taking evidence in private.

He said the pictures of the victim, Oruru, were already in the Internet, print and electronic media.
On the bail condition, Olaosebikan said the defence could not meet the bail conditions.