Offa Banks Robbery: My life is being threatened, defence counsel raises alarm
By Kayode Adeoti
The counsel to the five suspects arrested in connection with Offa Banks robbery that claimed no fewer than 33 lives, Barr. Mathias Emeribe, on Tuesday, raised alarm over alleged threat to his life.
In view of this, Emeribe was not in court for the trial of his client, hence, stalling the prosecution.
Meanwhile, the accused person; Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Salaudeen Azeez and Niyi Ogundiran were all brought to court.
The prosecutor, Barr. Wahab Egbewole, SAN informed the court that Emeribe called and sent him test message to express his worries over his life.
He added that the defence told him that members of the public are threatening him over the accused he’s representing in the suit.
According to Egbewole, the message reads, “life threatening experience on the road” and suggested adjournment, which the court reluctantly agreed with.
The presiding judge, who expressed disappointment over the absence of the defence counsel in court said that the prosecution counsel should have asked for details of the “life threatening experience” of the defence counsel.
“Does it mean that he won’t step out of his room till after the national elections? I can’t fathom this excuse and explanation, for someone to sit in the comfort of his house and be sending text messages. This court is only interested in timely disposition of the matter and any delay could put the court in jeopardy”, she said.
Meanwhile, Justice Halima Saleeman, however adjourned hearing on the matter till March 14 and 15, 2019.
Speaking with journalists after the court sitting, Professor Egbewole said that the defence counsel called him on Sunday and also sent a text message to him on Tuesday that he could not be in court on Tuesday and suggested a date after the national elections.
“This is just to show on the part of the prosecution that we’ve arranged our witnesses because we have them here from Plateau and Zamfara states, to ensure that the matter proceeds. But here we are”, he said.
