An Oyo State High Court sitting at Ring Road, Ibadan, has summoned the medical doctor attached to the Agodi Custodial Centre of the Nigerian Correctional Service to appear before it today, Wednesday, over concerns surrounding the health status of former Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oyo State, Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi, popularly known as Auxiliary.
The development followed the abrupt stalling of proceedings in a criminal case involving Auxiliary on Tuesday after he failed to appear in court despite being brought to the premises earlier in the day.
Auxiliary, a former Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the Oyo State Park Management System, was expected to take the dock when the matter came up before Justice Adetujoye, who presides over Court 11 of the Oyo State High Court.
However, the defendant was absent when the case was called, prompting confusion and heated exchanges in open court.
According to The Nation, the matter was subsequently adjourned to January 21.
Sources at the court said Auxiliary had arrived earlier in the day looking healthy, while other cases were being heard.
“The matter was slated for 11am, but after some sessions, the court rose briefly and returned around 12pm,” a source told The Nation on condition of anonymity.
“Before the judge resumed, we noticed correctional officers and some people gathered around Auxiliary. We heard them saying he was not feeling well.”
The source added that attempts were made to revive him.
“Some people were pouring water on his head, while others applied Aboniki balm on his legs. Later, the correctional officers contacted their superiors at Agodi. A vehicle was brought, and he was assisted by officers, his children and friends out of the court.”
The situation reportedly raised eyebrows when Auxiliary was seen walking unaided to the waiting vehicle outside the courtroom.
“What shocked many of us was that when he got outside, he actually walked with his legs to the car,” the source added.
Tempers flared when Justice Adetujoye entered the courtroom and learned of the defendant’s sudden exit.
While addressing the court, defence counsel Olalekan Ojo, SAN, said he was informed that his client had taken ill.
The judge immediately asked the prosecution if they were aware of the development.
Appearing for the state were O.S. Tella, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions; O.A. Bolarinwa, Senior State Counsel; and F.F. Gbadamosi.
Responding, lead prosecutor O.S. Tella narrated her understanding of events as observed in open court.
Justice Adetujoye expressed anger that the court was not officially informed before Auxiliary was taken away.
“Even if he took ill, one of the correctional officers ought to have informed the court,” the judge reportedly said.
Both the prosecution and defence were unable to give a clear explanation of what transpired, further aggravating the court.
In his ruling, Justice Adetujoye adjourned the case till Wednesday, stressing that the court must first ascertain the true state of Auxiliary’s health.
The judge also ordered that the medical doctor attached to the Agodi Custodial Centre appear before the court to explain the defendant’s condition.
The court added that if the defendant is medically confirmed to be ill, a new date would be fixed for the continuation of trial.