Court adjourns Oyo ex-NURTW chair’s murder, robbery trial

The prosecution, on Wednesday, called the seventh witness to give oral evidence in the ongoing trial of a former chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oyo State, Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi, also known as ‘Auxiliary’.

‘Auxiliary’, who is also a former Chairman of the State Disciplinary Committee of the Park Management System (PMS), is facing trial on 17 counts, charged with armed robbery, murder, attempted murder, and possession of a firearm, including one AK-47 assault rifle and two SMG rifles with magazines.

The case, which started at Fiat Court 2, Oyo State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan, presided over by Justice Bayo Taiwo, however, took place at Court 7 under the same Lordship.

According to the prosecutor, the offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 1(2)(a) and (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, CAP RII, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The matter with suit number I/74c/2024: State Versus Mukaila Lamidi (Auxiliary) is before Justice Bayo Taiwo.

The case concerns offences allegedly committed on 29th 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.

The defendant (‘Auxiliary’) had pleaded not guilty to the 17 counts read to him on 27th November 2024.

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr S. O. Adeoye, who led the prosecution, opened the trial on 27th November by calling two witnesses to give their oral testimonies.

Other lawyers who appeared alongside the DPP include Mrs. O. S. Tella (Deputy DPP) and Mrs O. A. Bolarinwa (Senior State Counsel).

During the proceedings, the prosecution called the seventh witness (PW7), Mr Fatai Awodele, a driver who gave oral testimony from the 16 witnesses listed to appear in the matter.

He explained to the court he was attacked on a fateful day and severely injured, adding that his wristwatch and a sum of N65,000 in cash were also taken by the men who accompanied the former NURTW boss during the attack.

He said the defendant and his entourage, all wearing red caps, stormed the governor’s Ikolaba residence with cutlasses, knives, sticks, and other dangerous weapons.

Awodele said he could only leave the scene after he regained consciousness, and a motorcyclist passing by took him to the Testing Ground Police Station to lodge a formal complaint, from where an ambulance was secured to convey him and several others who were also attached to the Government House Clinic for medical attention.

During the cross-examination, the defendant’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo [SAN], asked PW7 to mention the names or nicknames of some of the men in the defendant’s entourage on the said day.

Ojo was also accompanied by other lawyers, including Tope Olayinka, Mrs Madiagu, E. O Mbam, Babajide Bolodeoku, and Olalekan Adeoye.

He also questioned PW7 if he knew anything about the operations of the disbanded NURTW, particularly their various political affiliations that cut across different political parties in the state.

After a series of questions, Ojo, however, challenged PW7, saying he could not identify the person who attacked him on the day, having earlier confirmed that numerous individuals and security operatives were all at the location on that day.

The judge adjourned the matter till Thursday, 9th January, for the continuation of hearing.