A retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Adebayo Adeoye, on Friday, said the police team that first arrived at the home of the late Funsho Williams met his room disorganised.
Mr. Adeoye testified before Justice Adeniyi Adebajo of an Igbosere High Court in Lagos in the trial of six persons alleged to have murdered Mr. Williams, a gubernatorial candidate in Lagos. Mr. Williams was the People’s Democratic Governorship candidate for the 2003 general elections.
He was murdered on July 26, 2006 at his residence at Corporation Drive, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos. The accused are, Bulama Kolo, Musa Maina, David Cassidy, Tunani Sonani, Mustapha Kayode and Okponwasa Imariabie, all male. The retired DIG said that the disorganised room indicated that a scuffle occurred before Williams was murdered.
Mr. Adeoye was examined by the Prosecution Counsel, O.A. Akin-Adesomojo. He said that he visited the scene of the crime on July 27, 2006, following a directive by the then Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Ehindero. He told the court that his team met a large crowd outside the deceased’s residence and was led to the room where it found his body lying face down, hands tied and blindfolded, with blood on the floor.
“We didn’t touch anything because we were expecting forensics, but we kept looking for the point of entry, and moved to the adjacent flat which was empty. “While searching the flat, we saw footprints on the wall and a green rope. But we didn’t conclude that it was the point of entry because we were not sure yet,’’ the former police chief said. Mr. Adeoye told the court that he was an Assistant Inspector-General of police at the time of the incident. “Later in the day, the four policemen who were on duty on the night of the incident were arrested and their statements were taken before we handed over to the Force Headquarters, Abuja,” he said.
During cross examination, Defence Counsel, Agbara Okezie, asked the witness if any of the four arrested policemen was among the six accused. Mr. Adeoye said that he could not recollect their faces. Mr. Okezie also asked if the witness saw any mattress with footprints at the scene of the crime. He also inquired whether the two security guards in the house on the night of the incident were arrested.
The former police chief replied: “I did not see any mattress with footprints and I don’t know if any other security guards were arrested.” After the cross examination, the prosecution counsel applied for adjournment to enable her produce another witness; but Mr. Okezie objected to the application. The defence counsel said that the court could not continue to wait for prosecution witnesses.
However, Mr. Adebajo granted the application for adjournment, saying: “the court has to be flexible because of the nature of the charge. I will not rush them beyond their pace.” “The further trial of this charge is adjourned to Sept. 26.” The defendants were first arraigned on March 1, 2013 before Justice Adebajo on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder. The defendants, according to the charge, on or about July 27, 2006, at 34A, Corporation Drive, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, conspired to murder Mr. Williams. The offence contravenes Sections 316 and 324 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2003.
Mr. Adeoye testified before Justice Adeniyi Adebajo of an Igbosere High Court in Lagos in the trial of six persons alleged to have murdered Mr. Williams, a gubernatorial candidate in Lagos. Mr. Williams was the People’s Democratic Governorship candidate for the 2003 general elections.
He was murdered on July 26, 2006 at his residence at Corporation Drive, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos. The accused are, Bulama Kolo, Musa Maina, David Cassidy, Tunani Sonani, Mustapha Kayode and Okponwasa Imariabie, all male. The retired DIG said that the disorganised room indicated that a scuffle occurred before Williams was murdered.
Mr. Adeoye was examined by the Prosecution Counsel, O.A. Akin-Adesomojo. He said that he visited the scene of the crime on July 27, 2006, following a directive by the then Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Ehindero. He told the court that his team met a large crowd outside the deceased’s residence and was led to the room where it found his body lying face down, hands tied and blindfolded, with blood on the floor.
“We didn’t touch anything because we were expecting forensics, but we kept looking for the point of entry, and moved to the adjacent flat which was empty. “While searching the flat, we saw footprints on the wall and a green rope. But we didn’t conclude that it was the point of entry because we were not sure yet,’’ the former police chief said. Mr. Adeoye told the court that he was an Assistant Inspector-General of police at the time of the incident. “Later in the day, the four policemen who were on duty on the night of the incident were arrested and their statements were taken before we handed over to the Force Headquarters, Abuja,” he said.
During cross examination, Defence Counsel, Agbara Okezie, asked the witness if any of the four arrested policemen was among the six accused. Mr. Adeoye said that he could not recollect their faces. Mr. Okezie also asked if the witness saw any mattress with footprints at the scene of the crime. He also inquired whether the two security guards in the house on the night of the incident were arrested.
The former police chief replied: “I did not see any mattress with footprints and I don’t know if any other security guards were arrested.” After the cross examination, the prosecution counsel applied for adjournment to enable her produce another witness; but Mr. Okezie objected to the application. The defence counsel said that the court could not continue to wait for prosecution witnesses.
However, Mr. Adebajo granted the application for adjournment, saying: “the court has to be flexible because of the nature of the charge. I will not rush them beyond their pace.” “The further trial of this charge is adjourned to Sept. 26.” The defendants were first arraigned on March 1, 2013 before Justice Adebajo on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder. The defendants, according to the charge, on or about July 27, 2006, at 34A, Corporation Drive, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, conspired to murder Mr. Williams. The offence contravenes Sections 316 and 324 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2003.
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