Absence of defence witness stalls Yewande’s trial

NAN-H-10

Stall

By Suleiman Shehu

Ibadan, Feb. 13, 2017 (NAN) The absence of the defence witness on Monday stalked the trial of a female  lawyer, Yewande Oyediran, who allegedly killed her husband, Lowo.

Oyediran, a staff of the Department of the Public Prosecution (DPP) in Oyo State of Ministry of Justice,Bon Feb.2, at Akobo Area of Ibadan murdered her husband by stabbing him with a knife.

The private prosecutor, Mr Sanya Akinyele, had on Jan. 5 closed his case and the case was adjourned till Feb.13 for the defence counsel to open its defence.

However, the defence counsel, Mr Leye Adepoju, informed the court that he would not be able to open the defence because a subpoena was yet to be served on the witness he intended to call.

Adepoju said that the witness must be subpoenaed before he could be called.

The defence counsel, while requesting for some photographs taken by the prosecutor, which they failed to tender to the court, sought for an adjournment.

In his reaction, Akinyele opposed the application for adjournment.

Akinyele said that the case has been adjourned for more than a month, which according to him, is enough time for the defence to have served their witness.

Justice Munta Abimbola overruled the objection of the prosecutor, saying justice of the case was paramount.

Abimbola said that it would not be proper for the court to prevent the defence from getting the documents that would assist them in their case.

The judge adjourned the case till March 21 and March 22 for continuation of hearing.

Oyediran is standing trial on a one-count charge of murder which she pleaded not guilty and remanded in prison without bail. (NAN)

SYS/MA/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha