By Olawale Akinremi
An Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has struck out the case of attempted murder and and land grabbing instituted against Oba Solomon Akinola, the Oloko of Oko.
Akinola and 14 others were arraigned before the court by the state government.
The trial Judge, Justice Kareem Adedokun, on Monday, struck out the name of the traditional ruler after Mr Abiodun Aikomo, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Oyo State, applied for the withdrawal of the case against him.
Earlier, the Prosecuting Counsel, Mr I.O. Abdulazeez informed the court that the Oyo State Attorney-General and Commission for Justice directed him to withdraw the matter against Akinola, the second defendant in the matter.
Abdulazeez however, did not state any reason why the Oyo State Attorney-General gave the directive.
After the charges against the Oba was struck out, Adedokun adjourned the case until Sept. 18 for continuation of trial of the remaining 14 defendants.
He ordered the Defence counsel, Mr O.A. Okeyinka, to ensure that all the defendants were brought to court on the adjourned date.
In his reaction to the withdrawal, one of the complainants in the matter, Dr Isaac Abiodun expressed sadness on the sudden twist in the matter.
Abiodun contended that the traditional was the principal suspect in the case and the withdrawal of his name from the charge sheet would impede justice.
“The directive of the Oyo State Attorney-General to withdraw the case against the principal suspect in the case is a very sad development in the administration of criminal justice in Oyo State.
“This is a case in which all the facts of the terror on the Aagba village have been presented before the court and the court is not being allowed to dispense justice on him.
“This is somebody whose actions has brought about the death of some people and burning down of a village.
“In fact, we have tendered evidence of how Oba Akinola supervised the torturing of three indigenes of Aagba in his palace before the court.
“Honestly, we are very sad and we can’t even continue work on our farm since the burning down of the village,” Abiodun stated.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abiodun, the Chief Executive Officer of Tropical Culture Farm, a farm Estate, and the people of Aagba are nominal complainants in the case instituted against the defendants.
According to the complainants, the defendants invaded the Aagba village, maiming and destroying property.
They also told the court that they wrote a petition to the Inspector General of Police IGP who ordered a thorough investigation after which the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) transferred the case to the AGF, Oyo State.
The 14 Co-defendants include; Chief Sunday Aderinto, Chief Jimoh Asimiyu, Timothy Aderinto, Matthew Akintaro, Rafiu Ganiu and Adejare Adeleru.
Other are Samson Ogunmola Zachiaus Adeleru, Kamorudeen Ajibade, Raji Rasaq, Mutiu Arowosaye, Oyeyemi Oyelekan Olusegun Oyelekan and Sheriff Adio.
The defendants all pleaded not guilty to the 27-count charge bordering on attempted murder, assault, robbery, stealing and land grabbing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)