Suspects’ absence stalls arraignment in Ejigbo torture case

TEN persons charged by the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) with the torture of three women at Oba Morufu International Market in Ejigbo, Lagos, failed to show up at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, Monday, thereby stalling proceedings in the case.

   The suspects include Isiaka Waidi, Saheed Adisa, Lateef Tijani, Ahmed Adisa, Azeez Akinosun, Jimoh Busari, Adekunle Adenuga, Buhari Yusuf, Abdullahi Harun, and the only female suspect, Oloruntoyin Dauda.

   They are facing a 19-count charge bordering on conspiracy, attempted murder, sexual assault, malicious administration of poison, obtaining money by false pretence and deprivation of liberty.

   However, when the matter was called Monday, Justice Atinuke Ipaye was told that none of the defendants was in court. The Lagos DPP, Mrs. Idowu Alakija, told the court that all of them were granted bail by a magistrate court and were probably not aware of the proceedings.

   Therefore, she urged the court to adjourn the matter to enable the prosecution personally serve the defendants with the charge. 

Justice Ipaye granted the request, but ordered her to ensure that all the defendants are in court at the next adjourned date.

   And before adjourning the case till March 3, 2015, for the arraignment of the defendants, she also ordered the Zonal Director of the Legal Aid Council to provide representation for the defendants in order to accelerate hearing of the case.

 The defendants had allegedly tortured the trio of Nike Salami, Juliana and Joke Agomo over allegation of stealing pepper at the market on February 11, 2013. 

   According to the DPP, the women were beaten up, stripped and pepper was rubbed over their bodies by the suspects, who are members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC). They were further alleged to have inserted sticks and obnoxious substances into the women’s private parts, while the incident was recorded with a mobile phone.

   They also allegedly obtained N50,000 from one Fima Agomo – a relative of the victims – claiming that the money would be used to repay the traders whose pepper was stolen.