Timothy Adegoke: Osun CJ Threatens To Transfer Case To Another Judge
Yusuf Oketola
THE Chief Judge of the State of Osun, Justice Adepele Ojo, has threatened to transfer the murder case of the Obafemi Awolowo University postgraduate student, Timothy Adegoke, to another judge.
Justice Ojo while ruling on the case on Tuesday noted that she would transfer the case on the next adjournment date if the Nigeria Correctional Service refused to produce one of the prime suspects, Chief Rahman Adedoyin, before the court to stand trial.
The Chief Judge stressed that she would either grant other defendants bail and allow Adedoyin to face the murder case or transfer the case file if the NCS refused to bring him.
She decried the longer time it is taking to conclude the case because of Adedoyin’s absence in court on two occasions reportedly on health grounds.
Justice Ojo urged the NCS to ensure his presence in court on the next date of adjournment, just as she demanded that a medical report on Adedoyin’s health condition be brought to court.
The CJ thereafter adjourned the case till November 7, 2022.
Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Fatima Adesina, had told the court that she was informed that Adedoyin was sick and could not come to court.
Adesina had prayed the court to take judicial note of the defendant’s absence on several occasions.
Adedoyin had earlier pleaded not guilty to the 11-count charge of conspiracy, murder, attempted felony, unlawful interference with a dead body, altering and intent to destroy evidence.
The case file number HOS/5C/2022, dated February 14, and filed on February 17, had earlier been substituted with HOS/5C/ 2022, dated February 22, 2022, and filed on March 2, 2022.
The six other defendants standing trial in the murder case are Magdalene Chiefuna, Adeniyi Aderogba, Oluwole Florence, Oyetunde Kazeem, Adebayo Kunle and Adedeji Adesola.
