Tag: Auxiliary

The ongoing trial of a former chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oyo State, Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi, also known as Auxiliary, continued on Wednesday with the prosecution calling the seventh witness to give oral evidence.

The case, which started at Fiat Court 2, Oyo State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan, presided over by Justice Bayo Taiwo, however, took place at Court 7 under the same Lordship.

The Nation reports that Auxiliary, who was also a former Chairman of the State Disciplinary Committee of the Park Management System (PMS), is facing trial on 17 counts, charged with armed robbery, murder, attempted murder, and possession of a firearm, including one AK-47 assault rifle and two SMG rifles with magazines.

The offence, according to the prosecutor, is contrary to and punishable under 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 matter with suit number I/74c/2024: State Versus Mukaila Lamidi (Auxiliary) is before Justice Bayo Taiwo.

The defendant was in court on Wednesday. 

The case is one of the ongoing trials of the former Oyo NURTW boss. The case concerns offences allegedly committed on 29th May 2023, at about 2PM at the Ikolaba, Ibadan residence 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. 

Read Also: ‘Auxiliary’: Judges’ swearing-in, delay in arrival of defendant stall further hearing

The Nation reports that the defendant (Auxiliary) had pleaded not guilty to the 17 counts read to him on 27th November 2024.

The prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr S. O. Adeoye, had opened the trial on 27th November by calling two witnesses to give their oral testimonies.

Other lawyers who appeared alongside the DPP include Mrs O. S. Tella (Deputy DPP) and Mrs O. A. Bolarinwa (Senior State Counsel).

During Wednesday’s proceedings, the prosecution called the seventh witness (PW7), Mr Fatai Awodele, a driver who gave oral testimony from the 16 witnesses listed to appear in the matter.

He told the court he was attacked on the fateful day and severely injured, adding that his wristwatch and a sum of N65,000 in cash were also taken by the men who accompanied the former NURTW boss during the attack.

He said the defendant and his entourage, all wearing red caps, stormed the governor’s Ikolaba residence with cutlasses, knives, sticks, and other dangerous weapons.

Awodele said he could only leave the scene after he regained consciousness, and a motorcyclist passing by took him to the Testing Ground Police Station to lodge a formal complaint, from where an ambulance was secured to convey him and several others who were also attacked to the Government House Clinic for medical attention.

During the cross-examination, the defendant’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, asked PW7 to mention the names or nicknames of some of the men in the defendant’s entourage 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 also questioned PW7 if he knew anything about the operations of the disbanded NURTW, particularly their various political affiliations that cut across different political parties in the state.

After a series of questions, Ojo, however, challenged PW7, stating that he could not identify the person who attacked him on the said day, having earlier confirmed that numerous individuals and security operatives were all at the location on that day.

Ruling, the judge, however, adjourned the matter till Thursday, 9th January, for the continuation of the hearing.

Justice O. A. Adetujoye of Fiat Court 5, Oyo State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan has ordered that a case file involving a former Chairman of Disciplinary Committee of the Park Management System (PMS), Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi, also known as Auxiliary be transferred to the state Chief Judge for reassignment to another court.

The matter with suit number I/74c/2024 was between the State Versus Mukaila Lamidi (Auxiliary) and was scheduled for hearing on Monday. 

But, the Judge resolved to returning the case to the CJ as a result of the failure of the Counsels to agree if the Court should take the two different cases before it involving the defendant.

The defendant, Mukaila Lamidi, was present in court on Monday. He is facing trial on 17-count charge bordering on armed robbery, murder, attempted murder, possession of firearms, including, one AK-47 assault rifle, two SMG riffle with magazine.

The offence, according to the charge sheet, 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 Nation reports that the defendant has three separate criminal charges pending against him before the High Court of Oyo State. 

Two of such charges are before my Justice Adetujoye. The first one relates to the alleged criminal offences that took place at the residence of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on the 29th day of May, 2020 with suit number I/74c/2024. It was scheduled for hearing on Monday, but could not proceed.

The second charge has to do with alleged criminal offences that took place in Igbora during the campaign leading to 2023 general elections.

Read Also: JUST IN: Heavy security as ex-Oyo NURTW chief Auxiliary appears in court

After taking the appearance of the Counsels of the parties before the days proceedings began, Justice Adetujoye requested if the parties would agree to the court hearing the two different cases of the defendant before her.

Responding, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr S. O Adeoye who led the team of lawyers on behalf of the State told the court that the state had no objection to the request.

Other lawyers in the team include three Senior State Counsels: S. A. Osuolale, Isa Busari, G. A Ramoni and O. A. Sobande (State Counsel).

But, in a counter-response, counsel to the defendant, Mr Olalekan Ojo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria said his client would prefer that the two cases be heard by different courts.

He noted that if the Court starts the hearing of the case as scheduled, the other matter should be transferred to another court. 

The Senior Advocate said he raised the objection after due consultation with his client and after taking into consideration so many variables. 

However, the Judge explained that if any matter would be transferred, it would be the one scheduled for hearing on Monday since it was an offence that was committed within Ibadan jurisdiction.

She noted that the other matter that happened in Igboora would be retained by her Court since Eruwa/Igboora was her original jurisdiction but also sitting in Ibadan as a Fiat Court.

The Nation reports that there was an heavy security presence at the Court on Monday, with increased security patrol vans and personnel deployed within and around the Court.

Oyo State Government on Monday arraigned the former Chairman, Disciplinary Committee of the state Park Management System (PMS), Mukaila Lamidi, also known as Auxiliary before Justice O. A. Adetujoye of Fiat Court 5 of the Oyo State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan.

The case with suit number i/74c/2024 was between the State versus Mukaila Lamidi (Auxiliary).

He was arraigned on 17 count charge bothering on armed robbery, murder, attempted murder, possession of firearm, including, one AK-47 assault rifle, two SMG riffle with magazine.

The offence, according to the charge sheet, 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.

It added the offences were committed on May 29, 2023 around 2pm at Governor Seyi Makinde’s residence, Ikolaba, Ibadan.

Read Also: Court remands ex-Oyo PMS boss Auxiliary

Auxiliary pleaded not guilty to all the charges when the counts were read to him in court.

Oyo Counsel, S.A Osuolale, a Senior State Counsel informed the court that he intends to call 19 witnesses to prove the case against Mukaila Lamidi AKA Auxiliary.

But, Counsel to Auxiliary, Tope Olayinka told the court that his client did not look healthy.

He urged the court to take cognisance of his health status in treating the case.

To counter the claim, Osuolale (State Counsel) argues that the Counsel to Auxiliary is not a medical doctor and could not have ascertain the health and medical status of Auxiliary. 

However, Justice Adetujoye adjourned the matter till November 4, 2024 for accelerated hearing of the matter.

He also ordered the Prosecution (State Counsel) to assemble all his witnesses in court on the said date.

An Iyaganku Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ibadan has ordered remand of former Chairman, Disciplinary Committee, Oyo State Park Management System (PMS), Mukaila Lamidi a.k.a Auxiliary at Agodi Correctional Centre Ibadan.

Oyo Police Command on Thursday paraded Auxiliary after declaring him wanted over alleged involvement in series of armed robbery, kidnapping and murder cases in Oyo State.

Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi ordered remand of Auxiliary due to lack of jurisdiction.

Ogunkanmi said the suspect should be remanded pending issuance of legal advice from Director of Public Prosecution.

She however adjourned the case till July 11 for mention.

Auxiliary, who was represented by Tope Olayinka, was charged with four count charge bordering on conspiracy, causing death and stealing.

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The Officer-in-charge of Legal Department of the Police Command, CSP Funke Fawole told the Court that Auxiliary and others now at large allegedly conspired to commit the offenses.

She said the offenses were committed by the suspect and others still at large at Baba-Onilu Shopping Complex, Iwo Road, Ibadan.

She said the offence contravened Sections 383 and 316.

She maintained that the offences were punishable under Section 319, 111 and 390 (9), 324 and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.

She said: “On June 16, 2021, at about 3:30pm, Lamidi and others now at large alledgelly caused the death of one Azeez Rahman Abiodun 36, by stabbing him with knife in the chest.

“On June 16, 2021, the defendant and others at large allegedly conspired and stole assorted phones valued at N150m, property of Azeez Hammed Adebayo.”