Extra-Judicial Killing: Witness Absence Stalls Insp. Ogunyemi’s Trial
The scheduled trial of a Police Inspector, Ogunyemi Olalekan, who was accused of shooting to death a 35 year-old, Kolade Johnson, on March 31, 2019, at Mongoro, area of Lagos State, could not proceed as scheduled before an Ikeja High Court of Lagos, due to the absence of those who to testify in his favour.
Before the ugly incident which occured at a view Center, Ogunyemi, was attached to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad, SACS, of Lagos Command of Nigeria Police.
Ogunyemi is facing a one-count charge of murder before Justice Adenike Coker.
He was alleged to have committed the offence on March 31 at Onipetesi Estate, Mangoro area of Lagos.
The former police inspector was alleged to have unlawfully killed Johnson by shooting him with a AK47 rifle in the lower abdomen.
The offence is said to have contravenes Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
Ogunyemi had denied the charge.
At th resumed hearing of the charge against him on Thursday, the defence counsel, Abayomi Omotubora, told the court that the witnesses who are police officers, were absent, because they had not gotten clearance from police authorities.
According to him: “One of them said he needs to get clearance from the authorities while the other witness said he did not get the clearance because he is on special duties. One is in Port-Harcourt while the other is in Asaba.
“I have assurances from them that if the matter is adjourned, they will work towards coming to court at the next adjourned date,” he said.
Reacting, the lead State Counsel, Adebayo Haroun, told the court that it was the second time the defence will be requesting for an adjournment due to the absence of the witnesses.
However, the presiding judge, Justice Coker, while conceding to the defence’s request and adjourned the case till April 8 for continuation of defence, ordered the defence to ensure that their witnesses are in Court.
Justice Coker also further remanded the defendant in the custody of the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
