Warning Issued by Justice Oshodi as Trial Unfolds

Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja High Court sternly warned the public against leaving charms in his courtroom during Monday’s trial of five men accused of murdering Ifeanyi Etunmuse.

“No one should leave charms in my courtroom. It should not be repeated. A talisman was found after the last adjourned date in the murder case,” Justice Oshodi emphasized, referring to the charm as ‘property’ and cautioning the courtroom audience against leaving such items.

The defendants, Atunrase Omolabi, Shittu Olawale, Olaide Opeifa, Olanrewaju Adebiyi (aka Maja), and Jamiu Omosanya (aka Orobo), face charges of attempted murder and murder for their alleged involvement in the death of Ifeanyi Etunmuse at Western Funeral Home, Ijede Ikorodu.

During the trial, the defense counsel continued cross-examining the prosecution witness, Babatunde Olayinka. Olanrewaju Ajanaku, representing the defendants, questioned the witness about the attack on the deceased and his ability to identify the defendants.

While Olayinka recounted hiding in a cemetery during the incident and witnessing machete-wielding men, he could not emphatically link the defendants to the body he later discovered. Mahmud Adesina, the defense counsel for the fourth defendant, questioned the witness about Femi Onamade’s knowledge of the defendants.

In response to the developments, the prosecution counsel, Mr. M. T. Adewoye, requested a witness summons for Femi Onamade. Justice Oshodi granted the request and adjourned the trial until February 19, 2024, for further proceedings.

In a prior hearing on April 6, the prosecution alleged that the suspects not only caused the death of Ifeanyi Etunmuse but also severed the wrist of Femi Onamade, the younger brother of Tosin Onamade.

More updates to follow.