From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
There was a drama at an Osun State Magistrates’ Court, Osogbo, yesterday, when a lawyer, Taiwo Awokunle, withdrew his appearance for his client, Kazeem Oseni, over huge allegations against by the police.
The defendant, Oseni, was slammed with different charges bothering on stealing, fraud and threat to life.
When the first charge containing two counts of land racketeering and stealing of N1,071,000 was read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty and his counsel urged the court to grant him bail. He was granted bail in the sum of N1 million with one surety in like sum. In the second charge containing three counts of conspiracy, stealing and threat to life, the court also granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with one surety in like sum.
However, a drama played out when the prosecutor, Fagbayinbo Abiodun, brought out the third charge sheet containing two counts of N400,000 fraud and stealing of money belonging to one Adegbite Omowumi.
Counsel to the defendant, Awokunle, exclaimed and watchers in the court, including the police and lawyers, broke into laughter. Awokunle announced the withdrawal of his appearance from the case, saying “My Lord, I can not continue to stand for the defendant. I, hereby, withdraw my appearance.”
The magistrate, Adebayo Ajala, thereby, ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Ilesa Correctional Centre and adjourned the case to October 11, 2022.