MANY eyewitnesses expressed
their shock at watching lawyers 'fight' openly over legal representation of 15
accused persons on Friday at the magistrate court sitting on the case of
violent protest in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo local government area of Ondo State.
For over 40 minutes, legal practitioners, Azeez Agbaje and Yemi Salawu 'fought' over who should represent some of the accused persons during the sitting.
While some counsel who appeared on the first date of arraignment also turned up in court on Friday, others announced their appearance for the same persons at the resumed hearing of the case, insisting that they have been briefed and paid by their families.
Salau had announced his apperance for the fourth to the 10th accused persons. But Agbaje said he was standing for the fourth to the nineth accused. The main contention between the warring lawyers was the nineth and 10 accused persons.
While Agbaje said he had been briefed and paid
by the families of the accused, Salau who appeared for the accused at the time
the case was brought to court initially faulted his claim.For over 40 minutes, legal practitioners, Azeez Agbaje and Yemi Salawu 'fought' over who should represent some of the accused persons during the sitting.
While some counsel who appeared on the first date of arraignment also turned up in court on Friday, others announced their appearance for the same persons at the resumed hearing of the case, insisting that they have been briefed and paid by their families.
Salau had announced his apperance for the fourth to the 10th accused persons. But Agbaje said he was standing for the fourth to the nineth accused. The main contention between the warring lawyers was the nineth and 10 accused persons.
At this point, another member of the bar, Mr Austin Agbonghale appealed to the bickering lawyers to sheath their swords and allow peace to rein.
The senior counsel suggested that the lawyer who appeared for the accused at the first day of the hearing should be allowed to continue.
The Chief Magistrate, Johnson Adelegan, however, called for decorum among legal practitioners, while charging them not to wash their dirty linens in public.
He recognised only those that appeared on the first date of arraignment, saying: "This profession is globally recognised as the most noble of all professions. We must not destroy it with our own hands because of the money you will be given today.
"Touting can take different forms: In the court premises, police station, prison among others. A lawyer can tout in his office. We must do something to stop this profession from collapsing."
The 15 accused persons arraigned over the violent protest in Ile-Oluji however were orderd to remain in Olokuta Prison's custody. The court however held that it has jurisdiction to try the case while the magistrate adjourned the case to June 10 for bail application.
The accused persons were first arraigned on May 31 on 12-count charge of felony, burning of the palace of the Jegun of Ile Oluji, Oba Stephen Suulade Adedugbe and attempted murder of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the town, Mr Olawoye Ezekiel; Area Commander, Mr Hamzat Ameyi and another policeman, Constable Olaofe Bamidele.
They accused are Akinfesoye Akinfolarin, Sunday Agbeko, Julius Akinbayode, Christian Nnadi, Olatide Daniel, Akinro Adefulire, Olagunju Ismaila, Adebusoye Felix, Dare Owa and Olatunji Oyetunji Bisiliu.Others are; Emmanuel Nweke, Alhaji Taiwo Akinmade Yemi, Jayeoba Akinwale, Akinfade Stephen and Awodeyi Lateef.
Source: Compass
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