Fayose’s ex-P.A., Goke docked as court adjourns hearing in Daramola’s murder case

Mr. Goke Olatunji, the former personal assistant to Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose, was docked in court on Tuesday over the murder of the former World Bank Consultant, Dr. Ayodeji Daramola, just as the absence of a member of House of Representatives, Hon Thaddeus Aina, who is also an accused person in the murder of Holland-based Ekiti citizen, Mr. Tunde Omojola, yesterday stalled the commencement of the case in the Ado Ekiti High Court.

Aina, who is the 2nd defendant was absent, having been reportedly flown abroad for medical treatment, while the first respondent and former Personal Assistant to Fayose, who also was present in court in a case which has also been consolidated with Omojola’s case, was adjourned on the request of the counsels to both parties.

Omojola was killed in 2006 during a councillorship election while Daramola was murdered in Ijan Ekiti on August 14, 2006. Both murders were committed under the first term reign of Governor Fayose.

When the case was brought before Justice Adewale Fowe on Tuesday, the prosecuting counsel, Barr. Adekunle Adetowubo, revealed that Aina, who is representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency II, has been flown abroad for medical treatment for undisclosed ailment.

Both counsels, Adetowubo and counsel to the defendants, Mr. Adedayo Adewumi, sought a brief adjournment and also prayed the court to issue a witness summon, so that all the witnesses can be brought to court in the next adjournment date.

Adetowubo said: “My lord, the counsel to the 2nd respondent had told me that he was sick. The purpose of this case is to prosecute and not to persecute. Again, only the living can be tried and not the dead. We pray that he recovers soon and by the time he will appear, the trial can be heard expeditiously.

“We can’t continue with this case until the 2nd defendant appears in court, because this is a criminal case. Ordinarily, we would have requested for a Bench Warrant to bring him to court, but we have done our own findings and we found out that he was truly flown abroad for treatment.

“My lord, this adjournment does not mean we are withdrawing the charges against him, we are not even ready for that. Some of those granted bail in this case could not be found now, but the 2nd respondent has consistently been coming to court, so we want him granted this opportunity to appear when his health is restored.

“What we intended to do today is to mention the case, but under this circumstance, we oblige your lordship to give us a new date so that we can come with our witnesses. We know that this case has a chequered history but we still need patience since the defendant was only exercising his fundamental rights,” he added.

Aligning with the submission of the prosecuting counsel that a brief adjournment is needed under this circumstance, the Counsel to the respondent urged them to tidy up their case for speedy trial of
the accused persons.

In his ruling, Justice Adewumi Fowowe, said: “This matter has stayed for long and I wish we continue now. But since both parties had sought for this adjournment under the circumstances, I hereby adjourn the case to April 27, 2017 for hearing. I also directed that all processes be served on the prosecuting witnesses to appear in court on that day,” he ruled.