By Wole Adedeji, Ilorin
The defense counsel in the murder case of a University of Ilorin Professor has been ordered by an Ilorin High court to be arrested.
The trial judge; Justice Adebayo Yusuf of the Kwara State High Court, on Wednesday ordered the arrest of Mr Sikiru Solagberu, the defense counsel of one of the suspects, who allegedly raped and murdered a 300 level University of Ilorin student, Blessing Olajide.
Justice Yusuf said the lawyer, who was counsel to the 7th defendant; Daudu Adebayo made an uncomplimentary remark in the media about the case.
Earlier, Solagberu, through his secretary, applied for the withdrawal of his appearance in the case, saying he was no longer interested in continuing representing the 7th defendant.
The judge, however, granted his application and also ordered the security operatives to ensure Lawyer Solagberu’s arrest with immediate effect for not telling his client of his decision to withdraw his appearance and for passing unpleasant remarks in the media.
He therefore adjourned the case until July 12 for hearing.
The lawyer had earlier in the last adjournment had applied for
his clients’ bail but was rejected by the court. Eight suspects were arraigned on June 30 standing trial over the rape and murder of the 300 level of University of Ilorin Student.
The suspects are: Abdulazeez Ismail, Ajala Oluwatimileyin, Oyeyemi Omogbolahan, Abdulkarim Shuaib, Kareem Rasheed, Abdullateef Abdulrahman, Daudu Adebayo and Akande Oladoja.