Ejigbo sodomy: Prosecution closes case June 16

An Ikeja High Court on Tuesday fixed June 16 for the prosecution to close its case in the ongoing trial of 10 people charged with sodomy and assault of two women and a minor at Oba Morufu Market, Ejigbo.

The prosecution led by Mrs. Idowu Alakija, the Director of Public Prosecutions told the court that the prosecution was closing its case with only one witness to give evidence.

“My Lord, we are requesting a short date for adjournment in this matter, we have only one more witness who is going to give a brief testimony,” she told the court.

Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, in a short ruling, granted the request of the prosecution and adjourned the case to June 16.

“This case is hereby adjourned to June 16 at noon for the prosecution’s final witness.”

Earlier, ASP Olabisi Adejumo, a policewoman attached to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad in her testimony, narrated the role played by the market leader, Isiaka Waidi, in the incident.

“As a member of the investigating team, I acted as an interpreter when getting the statement of the first defendant (Waidi).

“I visited his house with members of my team while executing the search warrant and also recorded his statement.

“The defendant claimed that he was only at the crime scene at the beginning of the assault on the victims and that he left to go for a meeting at Alausa.

“Our investigations revealed that his claims were not true as he was also in custody for six months during the investigation.”

The market leader, Isiaka Waidi, 61; Buhari Yusuf,22; Abdullahi Haruna,20; and Saheed Adisa,29, are standing trial for torture and sodomy.

Others are Lateef Tijani,37; Ahmed Adisa, 65;Azeez Akinosun,36; Jimoh Busari,50; Adekunle Adenuga,38; and Oloruntoyin Dauda,46; the woman leader of the market.

They are facing a 19 counts bordering on conspiracy, attempted murder, sexual assault, maliciously administering poison, obtaining money under false pretences and deprivation of liberty.

The defendants, who are alleged by the prosecution to be members of the Odu’a Peoples Congress, had allegedly tortured with pepper and sodomised Mrs. Ajoke Agomo, her daughter, Nike Salami and her step-daughter, Juliana Agomo, over alleged pepper theft.

NAN