Sherifat Sonaike, Lagos High Court Judge at TBS, on Thursday condemned the continued absence of the defendant’s lawyer from Andrew Ominikoron’s trial.
Ominikoro is accused of raping and murdering a 22-year-old fashion designer, Bamise Ayanwola, in February inside a BRT bus.
He is also accused of raping another passenger, Maryjane Odezelu, on November 25 last year.
continuous absence
Abayomi Omotubora has been absent from court for the fourth time since the start of the trial.
The court adjourned the trial until June 30 because he was absent on June 7 and 9.
Again, on June 30, he was absent but sent a representative.
The judge asked the defendant, Mr. Ominikoron, if he was aware that his lawyer would not be present in court to defend him.
“I’m not aware of it,” he replied.
Moyosore Onigbajothe state prosecutor, pleaded with the judge to inform the state to appoint a representative from the Office of the Public Defender or Legal Advisor to “assume the legal representation” of the defendant in court.
He also complained about the absence of the defense attorney without notifying the court.
“I urged the court to also be made aware of how the defendant’s lawyer frustrates court proceedings,” Onigbanjo said.
Judge sentences defense attorney
The judge described Mr. Omotubora’s continued absence as “appalling and unbecoming of the noble profession”.
ALSO READ: Bamise: BRT driver’s murder trial stalled three times in a week
She, however, ordered the defendant to take on a new lawyer.
“That the defendant must use a new lawyer to continue conducting his trial on the next date,” he said.
“If you don’t get a lawyer, the Legal Aid lawyer’s office should take over at the next date.
“It is unbecoming of a noble member of this profession not to attend…and not to write to this court as a matter of courtesy. This particular attorney is of the attitude of not appearing in court.
He added that it is “unfortunate” that the hearing is set for another date.
He set September 28 and 29 for a new hearing on the matter.