The Oyo High Court sitting in Awe has adjourned the case of the twelve suspected killers of Jeffrey Akro, an undergraduate student of Ajayi Crowther University, until Tuesday, December 10, 2024.
The suspects’ plea could not be taken during their appearance in court on Thursday, although they pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge as read.
Justice Ladiran Akintola adjourned the case until December 2025 for further hearing.
Meanwhile, Chief Victor Ewrhujakpor, the counsel to the plaintiff and former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, who stood in for the Director of Public Prosecution alongside two other counsel, stated in an interview with newsmen that they were in court to take the plea of the defendants and argue their bail application.
He said: “We are in the Court today to take the plea of the defendants and to hear their bail application in respect of the murder of Jeffrey Akro. Her mother and uncle are in the Court.
“I am representing the DPP of Oyo state on a Fiat as well led other two lawyers.
“We could not take the application today because the expectation of them is that the application will be taken.
“As a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Delta state, I know that when the defendants are in Court to take their plea the oral bail application will be made.
“I was ready to oppose and file my counter affidavit but the Judge in his wisdom having considered the case file advised that we exploit the possibility of resolving all the issues and settle the matter out of Court considering the ages of the suspects, the deceased and the damage that has been done.
“We had to adjourn to try on our part. We are ready to resolve the matter amicably.
“If they give me their cooperation, I am sure by the next adjournment, we will have something to report through the Attorney General of the state to the larger public and the parents of the deceased.”
Also in a separate interview with the newsmen, one of the relatives of the deceased, Chief Ayirimi Emami said: “Our lawyer has spoken. I don’t have much comment to make. We have to follow what our Counsel has said. Whatever they resolve, we will follow them but Justice has to prevail.”
