Alleged Murder: Court Adjourns Trial To November 30

The Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere, has adjourned the murder case involving a dismissed police inspector, Jonathan Kampani till November 30 for the trial to begin.

The case which has suffered many adjournments is before Justice Sonaike of Lagos high court.

Jelili Bakare was allegedly killed by a police inspector Jonathan Kampani on 19th March 2021 at Quinox Hotel, Sangotedo area of Eti-Osa.

Inspector Jonathan Kampani confessed to have shot and killed the deceased. The suspect was tried and dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force and charged to Yaba Magistrate Court 1 before her Hon. Magistrate Adedayo Olatunbosun.

The Directorate of Public Prosecution’s Legal Advice on the case file established a prima facie case of Murder under Section 223 of the Criminal Law, Cap. C.17, Vol. 3, Law of Lagos State, 2015 against Inspector Jonathan Kampani and recommended his prosecution accordingly.

The case with number LJP/HOM/2021/84/8 was to come before the Hon. Adedayo Olatunbosun on the 10th day of January, 2022 but the court didn’t sit on said day. It was adjourned to the 2nd day of March, 2022 for report of High Court filing.

The law firm, Sanni M. M. A. & Co. has kept a close eye on the proceedings on behalf of the Bakare family of Ajiran, Eti-Osa Local Government of Lagos State.

On the 2nd day of March, 2022, the court did not sit, the state prosecutor was present and so was the defendant. Matter was adjourned to 6th of April, 2022.

On the 3rd of March, 2022, the family’s Lawyers got information that the case had been assigned to Justice Sonaike’s court of the Lagos Division.

On the 1st of June, 2022, the matter was heard in Justice Sonaike’s court. Mr. Kuku appeared for the state while Barrister Spurgeon appeared for the defense. Gabriel Peter held watching brief on behalf of the family of the deceased, as well as Eti-Osa Lawyers’ Forum in it’s  public interest advocacy.   The defendant was not produced by the correctional facility and there were rumors of riot by the banned okada riders. Matter was adjourned to the 21st of June, 2022 for arraignment and hearing of pending bail application.

On the 21st of June, 2022 the state prosecutors were not around and the matter was adjourned to 13th of July, 2022 for arraignment and hearing of bail application.

On the 13th of July, 2022 the state prosecutors and defense counsel were in court. Gabriel Peter, Esq. held watching brief for the family of the deceased and Eti-Osa Lawyers’ Forum. The defendant was arraigned and his plea taken. The defence counsel moved his motion for bail and the state prosecutor filed a counter. The applicaton for bail was denied and the matter was adjourned to 2nd of November, 2022 for trial.

On the 2nd of November, 2022 the state prosecutors and defense counsel were in court. Johnson Ganiyu, esq. held watching brief for the family of the deceased (Bakare family) and Eti-Osa Lawyers’ Forum. Trial was meant to commence but the defense counsel informed the judge that he was a different lawyer for the defendant and was newly brought into the case so he wasn’t abreast of the facts of the case.

The matter was then stood down for trial. The defense counsel further asked for an adjournment which the judge denied.

When the matter resumed, the state prosecutor informed the judge that he was ready to commence trial as the witness for the state was in court ready to give her testimony.

The defense counsel objected to this citing his lack of preparation while apologising to the court and asked for a short date. The judge adjourned the matter to the 30th of November, 2022.