A murmur of disappointment swept through a High Court of Delta State sitting in Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area when, on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, it adjourned the case of the murder of the traditional ruler of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Obi Akaeze Edward Ofulue III, who was allegedly killed by Fulani herdsmen in January 2016. Those who have been following the case had expected that the slow-moving suit would pick up traction on Tuesday because a pathologist was expected to give testimony of his findings when he examined the remains of the kidnapped and murdered monarch.
While presiding over court proceedings on Tuesday, in Ibusa, Justice Omozie adjourned the case till June 30, 2022, for a definite hearing due to the absence of Counsel to the second and fourth defendants in the case.
Earlier, Prosecuting Counsel, Barr A.O. Orhororo, bemoaned the absence of the Counsel to the second and fourth defendants, Barr O. O Oshiali, in the running of the case.
He noted that the absence of counsel of the second and fourth defendants will forestall court proceedings as the Pathologist, Dr. C. A. Okoye, a witness who is to testify concerning the post-mortem results of the deceased, cannot testify without the presence of the council.
Orhororo pleaded with the Judge that the Counsel of the second and fourth defendants bear the financial implication of their absence, saying that the Counsel for both defendants should be made to bear the financial implication of the inability of the witness to testify.
“We had to spend N37,500 to enable the pathologist witness to be in court,”
he stated.
However, the Judge overlooked the application of the prosecuting counsel, maintaining that it was the first time the counsel of the defendants would be absent from court since the case began.
Having sought the opinion of both counsels for a suitable date, the Judge adjourned the case to June 30, 2022, when he affirmed that the hearing will definitely proceed.
