Kwara Govt cedes Offa robbery case to private prosecutor

The Kwara State Government has handed the prosecution of Offa robbery case to a private law firm , Wahab Egbewole & Co .
The Principal Counsel of the firm, Mr . Wahab Egbewole , made this known in court on Friday while announcing his appearance for the case.

Egbewole asked for a short adjournment to enable him to study the case for proper prosecution.

“ I was given the case file yesterday to prosecute the case ; I need to study the file for proper prosecution.

“ I brought all the witnesses to show that the prosecution is ready to go on . Justice is not by rushing but to ensure that all parties are satisfied , ” he said .

The defence counsel, Mr. Mathias Emberibe , did not oppose the application for adjournment .

“ Since the file got to him late , it is expected of him to study the file for proper prosecution . I am waiting for them to show that they have the capacity to try the case , ” the defence counsel said .

In his ruling , Justice Halimat Salman granted the adjournment but cautioned against stalling the trial .

She adjourned the case until January 25 for definite hearing.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that five persons were charged with the April 5 , 2018 bank robbery that claimed 31 lives , including those of nine policemen and a pregnant woman.

The accused are Ayoade Akinnibosun , Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham , Salaudeen Azeez and Niyi Ogundiran .

The accused are facing five counts of conspiracy , armed robbery , murder , culpable homicide and illegal possession of firearms .

( NAN)