A Federal High Court in Yenagoa on Thursday granted the request to take Ese Oruru’s testimony in private in the case of alleged criminal abduction of the minor.

The Judge, Justice Aliya Nganjiwa, who granted the application however adjourned hearing to June 2 for hearing on the substantive suit.

Nganjiwa said that after careful observation on the application on private ruling, the court, therefore accepted that the evidence of the Victim, Ese Oruru should be taken in private.

“I premise the ruling of the court on the provision of section 36 subsections 4 (a) and (b) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

“The evidence of Ese Oruru will be taken in private and in chambers, excluding all other persons other than the prosecution, the accused defendant counsels, top prison officials and any other if the accused person does not object.

“It is only the evidence of the victim, Ese Oruru that will be taken in private while the main trial will be in open court; the defence counsel have failed to show what injury or harm the accused person, Yanusa Dahiru will suffer on account of private hearing,” he said.

The Prosecuting Counsel, Keneth Dike, said he was delighted over the ruling as application on taking evidence of the victim in private have been granted by the court.

“I am happy the way the case is going; on today’s pre-trial hearing, our application has been granted and I believe justice is prevailing.

“We are sitting for the constitutional right of the victim, Ese Oruru, and we want fair trial for the interest of justice,” he said.

The Defence Counsel, Kayode Olaosebikan, described the decisions of the court as nothing unusual, but a superior opinion.

On Yanusa bail conditions, Olaosebikan said that they were having challenges and disclosed that they have filed a motion to the court to review the bail conditions.

“The court is asking us to bring sureties, who are residents in Yenagoa; so, it has been very difficult and challenging to us to bail Yanusa,” he said.

The case is between the Inspector General of Police and Yanusa Dahiru, who is standing a five count charge of criminal abduction, illicit sex, sexual exploitation and unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor, Ese Oruru.

•Photo shows Ese Oruru.

Update news