FROM FEMI FOLARANMI, YENAGOA

THE absence of a new lead defence counsel in the case of Yinusa Dahiru aka Yellow standing trial at the Federal High Court over the abduction, alleged rape and sexual exploitation of 14 year-old Ese Oruru, stalled proceed­ings yesterday.

At the resumed trial, Adamu Mohammed standing in for the defence team told the court that a new lead de­fence counsel could not make the trip from Kano as he was indisposed.

According to him, the counsel pleaded with the court to take another date for the trial when he would be able to attend. “My Lord, our senior partner from Kano who is coming to lead the team is ill and he has asked the court to take cognisance of his health.”

A furious prosecution counsel, James Anata lamented the series of adjournment the matter has suffered and urged the court not to entertain more adjournments from the defence team.

According to him, the logistics and cost of catering for the principal witness who is in police protective custody is taking its toll on the Police.