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Judge’s absence stalls trial of alleged killer of Fadipe

By Yetunde Ayobami Ojo
18 August 2015   |   2:45 am
A LAGOS High Court sitting in Ikeja could not go on with the trial of Seun Oladapo, the suspected killer of a Lagos-based human rights crusader, Kunle Fadipe, due to the absence of the judge.

GavelA LAGOS High Court sitting in Ikeja could not go on with the trial of Seun Oladapo, the suspected killer of a Lagos-based human rights crusader, Kunle Fadipe, due to the absence of the judge.

The presiding judge, Justice Atinuke Ipaye, has joined other judges to observe long vacation. It would be recalled that ‎the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Funmilayo Atilade, in pursuant to Order 45 Rule 4 (D) of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2012 had approved July 22 to September 17, 2015 as dates for the long vacation of judges in the state.

Justice Ipaye had on July 22, 2015 fixed August 17, 2015 for commencement of trial after taking the plea of the defendant‎. The suspect was arraigned on five-count charge bordering on murder, robbery and assault occasioning harm contrary to Section 221, 295 (2)(a) and 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

Part of the charge read that “Oluwaseun Oladapo‎ on the 4th day of July 2014 at about 0300hr at No 1, Harmony Estate, Ifako-Ijaiye, Iju, Lagos in the Ikeja Judicial Division whilst armed with an offensive weapon, a knife did rob one Kunle Fadipe of a large sum of money and murdered him by stabbing him severally on numerous part of the body. “Murdered one Cecilia Owolabi by stabbing her on the chest, assault one Abiola Owolabi and Folahanmi Fadipe by stabbing them with a knife.”

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges. After pleading not guilty to the charges, his counsel, Worer Obuagbaka, informed the court that he got the file not long ago and urged the court to allow him go through the file.

The prosecution counsel led by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs. Idowu Alakija, told the court of their readiness, adding that two of their witnesses were in court. After listening to counsel on both sides, Justice Ipaye said defence should be given ‎sufficient time and with the consent of counsel adjourned the case till August 17 and 18, 2015 for prosecution to commence trial during vacation.

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