The trial of former chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oyo State, Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi, aka ‘Auxiliary’, continued yesterday, with the prosecution calling the 7th witness to oral evidence.
The case, which started at Fiat Court 2, Oyo State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan, presided over by Justice Bayo Taiwo, was, however, held at Court 7 under the same lordship.
The Nation reports that ‘Auxiliary’, former chairman of the State Disciplinary Committee of Park Management System (PMS), is facing trial on 17-count charge bothering on armed robbery, murder, attempted murder, possession of firearms, including one AK-47 assault rifle, two SMG rifles with magazine.
The offence, according to the prosecutor, is contrary to any punishable under Section 1(2)(a) and (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, CAP RII, Vol.14, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The matter with suit number I/74c/2024: State Versus Mukaila Lamidi (Auxiliary), is before Justice Bayo Taiwo.
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The defendant was in court yesterday.
The case is one of the ongoing trials of the former Oyo NURTW boss. It borders on offences allegedly committed on May 29, 2023 at about 2pm at Ikolaba, Ibadan home of Governor Seyi Makinde.
The Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security, CP Sunday Odukoya (rtd), was also in court to observe the proceedings.
The Nation reports that the defendant (Auxiliary) had pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge read to him on November 27, 2024.
The prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr S. O. Adeoye, had on November 27 opened trial by calling on two witnesses to give their oral testimonies.
Other lawyers that appeared alongside the DPP include: Mrs O. S Tella (Deputy DPP) and Mrs O. A. Bolarinwa (Senior State Counsel).
During yesterday’s proceedings, the prosecution called the 7th Witness (PW7), Mr Fatai Awodele, a driver, who gave oral witness out of the 16 witnesses listed to appear on the matter.
He told the court that he was attacked on the fateful day and severely injured, saying his wristwatch and N65,000 on him were also taken by men, who accompanied the former NURTW boss on the attack.
He said the defendant and his entourage, all adorning red caps, stormed the governor’s Ikolaba home with cutlasses, knives, sticks, among other dangerous weapons.
Awodele said he could only leave the scene after he regained consciousness and a motorcyclist driving by, took him to the Testing Ground Police Station to lodge a formal complaint, from where an ambulance was secured to convey him and some other individuals, who were also attacked, to the Government House Clinic for medical attention.
During cross examination, defendant’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, asked the PW7 to mention the names and or nicknames of some of the men in the entourage of the defendant on the said day.
Ojo was also accompanied by other lawyers, including: Tope Olayinka, Mrs Madiagu, E. O Mbam, Babajide Bolodeoku and Olalekan Adeoye.
He questioned the PW7 if he knew anything about the operations of the disbanded NURTW, particularly their political affiliations, which cut across political parties in the state.
After questions, Ojo, however, challenged the PW7 that he could not identify the person who attacked him on the said day, having earlier confirmed that many individuals and security operatives were at the location on the day.
Ruling, the judge adjourned the matter till today for continuation of hearing.