Fayose's ex-aide arraigned in court for murder

A former Personal Assistant to Governor Ayo Fyose during his first tenure, Goke Olatunji was on Tuesday arraigned at an Ado Ekiti High Court over alleged double  murder.

The offences were allegedly committed 11 years ago.

Also charged with him is a member of House of Representatives, Mr Thaddeus Aina who was absent in court.

The two men were charged with the murders of the then Holland-based  Mr Tunde Omojola and a World Bank Consultant, Dr Ayodeji Daramola.

The trial was however stalled because of the absence of Aina, said to have gone  abroad for medical treatment.

The two murder cases were consolidated at the request of the lawyers to both parties.Omojola was killed in Ifaki Ekiti in 2006 during a councillorship election while Daramola was murdered in Ijan  Ekiti on August 14, 2006.

Both murders were committed under the first term of  Governor Fayose.

When the case was brought before Justice Adewale Fowe, on Tuesday,the prosecuting counsel, Mr Adekunle Adetowubo, told the court  that Aina, who is currently representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency II , had been flown abroad for medical treatment over undisclosed ailment.

Both  Adetowubo and counsel to the defendants, Mr Adedayo Adewumi, sought a brief adjournment and also prayed the court to issue a Witness summon, so that all the witnesses can be brought to court at

the next adjournment date.

Adetowubo said My lord, the counsel to the 2nd respondent had told me that he was sick

The purpose of this case is to prosecute and not

to persecute. Again, only the living can be tried and not the dead

We pray that he recover soon and by the time he will appear, the trial can be heard expeditiously

We can’t continue with  this case until the 2nd defendant appears in court, because this is a criminal case.

Ordinarily, we would have requested for a Bench Warrant to bring him to court, but we have done

our own findings and we found out that he was truly flown abroad for treatment.

My lord, this adjournment does not mean we are withdrawing the charges against him, we are not even ready for that.

Some of those granted bail in this case could not be found now, but the 2nd respondent has consistently been coming to court. So we want him granted this opportunity to appear when his health is restored

What we intended to do today is to mention the case, but under this circumstance, we oblige your lordship to give us a new date so that we can come with our witness.

The Counsel to the respondent aligned with the submission of the prosecuting counsel that a brief adjournment is needed under this circumstance, urging them to tidy up their case for speedy trial of

the accused persons.

In his ruling, Justice Fowe, who had earlier objected to adjournment said: “This matter has stayed for long and I wish we continue now. But since both parties had sought for this adjournment under the circumstance, I hereby adjourn the case to April 27, 2017 for hearing.

He also direct that all processes be served on the prosecuting witnesses to appear in court on that day.