The trial of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Commissioner for Special Duties in Lagos State, Dr. Tola Kasali, and two others charged for alleged murder and illegal possession of firearms has been adjourned till April 23.

The matter, which had been adjourned to yesterday, could not go on, as the court presided over by magistrate, Mr. E. O. Ogunkanmi, did not sit following a valedictory programme organised for some retired magistrates in the state.

The two other accused are Mr. Folami Musiliu, 65, a Special Adviser to the Lagos State government, and Mr. Tobin Abiodun Lukman, 35, a Chief Security Officer to one of the APC bigwigs in the state.

The matter has been adjourned to enable the court receive the advice from the Office of Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP.

At the last adjourned date, DPP has ordered the Nigerian Police to conduct further investigation into the alleged murder charges levelled against the three accused persons.

A DPP advice, dated December 9, 2014, and signed by the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution, Mrs. Olabisi Ogungbesan, had compelled the police to conduct further and thorough investigation in the matter, as the evidence in the case file could not sustained the charges against the three accused person.

The three accused were charged before the court, sitting at Ebute-Metta, by the men of Department of Criminal Investigation, of Lagos state Police Command, Panti-Yaba, on charges bordering on conspiracy to commit murder, murder and illegal possession of firearm, on November 9, 2014.

They were alleged to have conspired among themselves with some others now at large, to have shot and killed one Musiliu Ogboye Lamidi, on November 9, Akodo, Ibeju-Lekki area of the state during the collection of Permanent Voters’ Card, PVC.

They were also alleged to have been in possession of a pump action Avar Magnum gum with number 6381, without appropriate authority.

The alleged offences, according to the police are punishable under sections 231, 211, 409 and section 27 (b) (1) of the fire arm Act. Cap 28 laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2011.

The accused plea were not taken, but they were admitted to bail by Chief Magistrate Timothy Abolarinwa who holds the brief of Magistrate E. O. Ogunkanmi, after the submission of their lawyer, Chief Taiwo Ajala, when they were charged to court on November 11. Ajala had urged the court to admit the accused persons bail due to social status.

When the accused persons were charged before the court, the prosecutor, Mr. Femi Adamson, a Senior State Counsel, now a judge, had informed the court that the matter was for DPP’s advice, and for the counsel to file the verification of the addresses of the accused persons. He had urged the court for an adjournment, due to the content of the DPP’s advice.

*Adapted from Saturday Mirror. Photo shows justice

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