Oyo Chief Judge, Justice Iyabo Yerima, has rejected application of the Oloko of Oko in Ogbomoso area, Oba Solomon Akinola, who is standing trial with 14 others in a case of attempted murder and land grabbing.
The monarch and 14 other defendants had filed an application seeking transfer of the case from the State High Court, Ibadan to the State High Court in Ogbomosho, where most of the trial took place.
According to Justice K.A Adedokun of the State High Court Ibadan, the CJ turned down the monarch’s application to transfer to High Court in Ogbomoso to start afresh after the prosecution has closed their case.
The judge further said that he would not be able to deliver the earlier scheduled ruling on the no case submission filed by the defendants because the new defense counsel had written the Oyo Chief Judge to stop him from further adjudicating on the case.
He said that the previous counsel handling the case, Mr M.O. Folorunsho had withdrawn because he had been appointed as a Judge in Kwara State.
Justice Adedokun said that the new defense counsel that took over the matter wanted the case to start afresh.
According to the judge, the new defense counsel also wanted the case to be transferred back to Ogbomoso State High Court where most of the trials took place.
“However, the Chief Judge refused to grant their prayers and insisted that I should continue handling the matter.
“The Chief Judge also said that it would be unfair and unjust to start the case afresh because all the rigorous time and resources expended by the prosecution on the trials would be a waste and that some of the witnesses have even died.
“I received the letter directing me to continue handling the case just yesterday,”the judge said.
Adedokun fixed March 19 as new date for ruling on the no case submission filed by defendants.
The other 14 defendants standing trial with Akinola include: Chief Sunday Aderinto, Chief Jimoh Asimiyu, Timothy Aderinto, Matthew Akintaro, Rafiu Ganiu and Adejare Adeleru.
Other defendants are. Samson Ogunmola Zacheaus Adeleru, Kamorudeen Ajibade, Raji Rasaq, Mutiu Arowosaye, Oyeyemi Oyelekan Olusegun Oyelekan and Sheriff Adio.
The defendants had pleaded not guilty to a 29-count charge bordering on alleged attempted murder, assault, robbery, stealing and land grabbing.
