An Ikeja High Court on Tuesday fixed June 16 for the prosecution to close its case in the ongoing trial of 10 people charged with sodomy and assault of two women and a minor at Oba Morufu Market, Ejigbo.

The prosecution led by Mrs Idowu Alakija, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) told the court that the prosecution was closing its case with only one witness to give evidence.

The women were severely beaten after which chili pepper and other dangerous objects were introduced into their genitals by men who accused them of stealing pepper from the market.
One of the assaulted women, identified as Julie Agomah has died.
“My Lord, we are requesting a short date for adjournment in this matter, we have only one more witness who is going to give a brief testimony,’’ Alakija told the court.
Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, in a short ruling, granted the request of the prosecution and adjourned the case to June 16.

“This case is hereby adjourned to June 16 at noon for the prosecution’s final witness.”

Earlier, ASP Olabisi Adejumo, a policewoman attached to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad in her testimony, narrated the role played by the market leader, Isiaka Waidi, in the incident.

“As a member of the investigating team, I acted as an interpreter when getting the statement of the first defendant (Waidi).

“I visited his house with members of my team while executing the search warrant and also recorded his statement.

“The defendant claimed that he was only at the crime scene at the beginning of the assault on the victims and that he left to go for a meeting at Alausa.

“Our investigations revealed that his claims were not true as he was also in custody six months during the investigation.”
The accused are market leader, Isiaka Waidi,61; Buhari Yusuf,22; Abdullahi Haruna,20; and Saheed Adisa,29.
Others are Lateef Tijani,37; Ahmed Adisa, 65;Azeez Akinosun,36; Jimoh Busari,50; Adekunle Adenuga,38; and Oloruntoyin Dauda,46; the woman leader of the market.

They are facing a 19-count charge bordering on conspiracy, attempted murder, sexual assault, maliciously administering poison, obtaining money by false pretences and deprivation of liberty.