Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Ikeja High Court has cautioned the public against leaving charms in his courtroom during the trial of five men accused of murdering Ifeanyi Etunmuse.
The judge issued the warning on Monday after a talisman was found in the courtroom following the last adjourned date.
Oshodi, referring to the charm as ‘property,’ sternly warned the audience, “Do not leave your property here again. It does not work anymore.”
The Lagos State Government has charged Atunrase Omolabi, Shittu Olawale, Olaide Opeifa, Olanrewaju Adebiyi (aka Maja), and Jamiu Omosanya (aka Orobo) with attempted murder and the murder of Etunmuse at Western Funeral Home in Ijede, Ikorodu.
During the trial, the defense counsel cross-examined the prosecution witness, Babatunde Olayinka. The witness, describing the day of the incident, mentioned hiding in the cemetery to avoid a group of machete-wielding men at the Onamade compound.
He later discovered a dead body beside him but could not confirm if the defendants were involved.
The defense counsel also questioned the witness’s knowledge of the defendants, with the prosecution requesting a witness summons for Femi Onamade. The judge granted the summons and adjourned the trial until February 19, 2024.
During a previous court hearing, the prosecution had alleged that the suspects mutilated Femi Onamade’s wrist, the younger brother of Tosin Onamade.