Friday, December 12, 2014
Lagos Public Defender Tackles Police Over Tola Kasali, Others On Murder Trial
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The Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, on Thursday said that the police lacked sufficient evidence to prosecute a governorship aspirant, Dr Tola Kasali, for murder.
The DPP, Mrs Olabisi Ogungbesan, made the statement when the case was mentioned before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates Court in Lagos.
She said that evidence brought against Kasali and his co-accused did not sustain the murder charge.
The director advised that the police should conduct more investigations into the case.
Kasali, 62, a former Commissioner for Special Duties in Lagos State, was a governorship aspirant in the state on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC.
The police arraigned the aspirant and two others on Nov. 11, on a four-count charge of conspiracy, murder and illegal possession of arms.
The court did not take their pleas as the Chief Magistrate, Mr E.O. Ogunkanmi, said that he needed the DPP's advice.
The court, however, granted them bail on self- recognition.
The other accused are 65-year-old Folami Musiliu, a Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor, and 35-year-old Tobun Abiodun Lukman, a Chief Security Officer.
The police accused Kasali and the others of killing Mr Musiliu Ogboye Lamidi at Akodo, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, on Nov.9.
They said that the accused were arrested in possession of a pump action Avar Magnum gun with serial number 6381, without appropriate licence.
According to the charge, the offences contravene Sections 231, 211 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, and Section 27 (b)(1) of the Fire Arms Act. Cap 28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
A team of Messrs G.O. Osuji, N. Nosa and George Nwosu, appeared for the prosecution of the case for the police.
However, after Osuji had announced the appearance of the team, Mr Femi Adamson, a Senior State Counsel, also announced his appearance also as a prosecutor in the matter.
Adamson told the court that the state wished to take over the prosecution of the case from the police.
However, Osuji submitted that the case was an application for remand.
He said that the state could only take over the case after the accused might have been properly arraigned.
The team later conceded to the state counsel, and withdrew from the case.
Mr Taiwo Ajala, counsel to the accused, had urged the court to grant the accused bail on self-recognition because of their social status.
The court adjourned the case to March 20 for mention.
The DPP, Mrs Olabisi Ogungbesan, made the statement when the case was mentioned before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates Court in Lagos.
She said that evidence brought against Kasali and his co-accused did not sustain the murder charge.
The director advised that the police should conduct more investigations into the case.
Kasali, 62, a former Commissioner for Special Duties in Lagos State, was a governorship aspirant in the state on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC.
The police arraigned the aspirant and two others on Nov. 11, on a four-count charge of conspiracy, murder and illegal possession of arms.
The court did not take their pleas as the Chief Magistrate, Mr E.O. Ogunkanmi, said that he needed the DPP's advice.
The court, however, granted them bail on self- recognition.
The other accused are 65-year-old Folami Musiliu, a Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor, and 35-year-old Tobun Abiodun Lukman, a Chief Security Officer.
The police accused Kasali and the others of killing Mr Musiliu Ogboye Lamidi at Akodo, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, on Nov.9.
They said that the accused were arrested in possession of a pump action Avar Magnum gun with serial number 6381, without appropriate licence.
According to the charge, the offences contravene Sections 231, 211 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, and Section 27 (b)(1) of the Fire Arms Act. Cap 28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
A team of Messrs G.O. Osuji, N. Nosa and George Nwosu, appeared for the prosecution of the case for the police.
However, after Osuji had announced the appearance of the team, Mr Femi Adamson, a Senior State Counsel, also announced his appearance also as a prosecutor in the matter.
Adamson told the court that the state wished to take over the prosecution of the case from the police.
However, Osuji submitted that the case was an application for remand.
He said that the state could only take over the case after the accused might have been properly arraigned.
The team later conceded to the state counsel, and withdrew from the case.
Mr Taiwo Ajala, counsel to the accused, had urged the court to grant the accused bail on self-recognition because of their social status.
The court adjourned the case to March 20 for mention.
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