The absence of Justice Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court on Wednesday stalled the ongoing murder trial of a former Chairman of the Park Management System in Oyo State, Mukaila Lamidi, popularly known as Auxiliary.
The case, which resumed at the High Court in Ibadan, was adjourned to June 11 for the adoption of final written addresses in a trial-within-trial. This procedural phase aims to determine the admissibility of certain confessional statements allegedly made by the defendant.
Both the prosecuting counsel, Mr. S. O. Adeoye, who is also the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in Oyo State, and the defence counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN), were present in court, but proceedings could not go on due to the judge’s absence.
Auxiliary is facing a 17-count charge bordering on armed robbery, murder, attempted murder, and unlawful possession of firearms. The charge sheet includes allegations of possessing prohibited weapons such as AK-47 rifles and submachine guns (SMGs) with magazines.
The offences are said to contravene Section 1(2)(a) and (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, CAP RII, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The high-profile case continues to draw public and media interest, especially given the notoriety of the defendant and the seriousness of the allegations.