By Jimoh Sulyman
An Ilorin Magistrate court has heard the case involving the three embattled online critics of the Kwara State governor, Kayode Ogunlowo, Saka Babatunde and Olusegun Olusola Adewara, aka Sholyment against the state commissioner of Police today, 12th of October.
In his address to the court, the Prosecutor, Nasiru Yusuf, seeks for an adjournment date due to Illness of the police witness and IPO,Inspector Samuel Oluwafemi ,who is said to be in possession of the case file.
Barrister M.O. Balogun who is the counsel to Kayode Ogunlowo and Saka Babatunde,1st and 2nd defendants respectively, reluctantly agreed to prayer of the prosecutor for an adjournment date.
Barrister AbdulRazaq Akorede,the counsel to the 3rd defendant,Olusegun Olusola Adewara, however opposed the prosecutor’s application of adjournment due to the lack of evidence to prove the Police inspector’s sickness adding that the prosecutor hasn’t informed the court of the absence of other witnesses.
He also argued that a case file is an official document and shouldn’t be in the possession of any individual rather, it should be at the office hence his sickness can’t be given as an excuse for the delay in the matter.
Akorede also accused the Prosecution of lack of readiness to prosecute the case, urging that the case against the 3 defendants should be terminated by the court.
Magistrate Ibrahim however, said he is giving the prosecution the benefit of doubt but gave a condition, that at the next hearing, the IPO has to produce a medical document confirming his claim of sickness, or else he will be issued with a bench warrant.
In seeking for a new date, Barr Balogun suggested 23rd November 2021 as the next sitting date of which the presiding Magistrate concurred to, with the agreement of other counsels.
Trio were brought before Magistrate Mohammed Ibrahim in the allegation of criminal defamation of character against the person of the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, his sister ,Sen.Khairat Gwadabe and the chairman of KWIRS.
