Yewande Oyediran

GBENRO ADESINA/IBADAN

A lawyer, Mrs. Yewande Oyediran, who allegedly stabbed her husband, late Lowo Oyediran to death in Akobo Area of Ibadan today appeared in court with her head covered up so as not to allow her photographs to be taken by journalists as well as the interested public who had thronged the court.

The case has turned out to be a celebrated one of sorts as people from all works of life waited eagerly to see the outcome of the judicial process.

The lady, who was helped into the court by prison officials, was arraigned at Magistrate Court Iyaganku, presided over by Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Kehinde Durosaro-Tijani.

However, the Oyo State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the State Ministry of Justice has released the legal advice on the case.

According to the Prosecuting Police Officer, Mr. Amos Adewale, the legal advice has been released in the past one week, adding that the court has no jurisdiction to entertain the murder case marked MI1539/2016.

The accused was arraigned before the court on February 5, 2016 on a one-count charge of murder. She allegedly committed the offence, contrary to and punishable under the Laws of Oyo State. According to the charge: On February 2, 2016 “at about 6:10am at No 30 Abidi Odan, Akobo area, Ibadan in the Ibadan Magisterial District (Yewande) did unlawfully caused the death of one Oyelowo Oyediran, 38, by stabbing him with knife on the neck, which later resulted to his death”.

The release of the legal advice has put paid to the speculations that the DPP might want to frustrate the trial since the accused is part of the legal profession.

The lead defence counsel, Mr. Seun Abimbola, told the court that he was not aware of the release of the legal advice of which the presiding magistrate urged all the counsels in the case to update their records.

She adjourned the case to March 1, 2016 for mention. The accused was returned to Agodi Prison.

Counsel to the family of the deceased, Mr. Kehinde Adesiyan, told journalists after the proceedings that the Magistrate Court has no jurisdiction to entertain the case, which accounted for why it adjourned it for mention.

He said that the prosecution has “been authoritatively informed that information has been filed before the High Court which has jurisdiction”.

He condemned the way at which Yewande’s face was covered but stated that he did not raise an objection because the magistrate court does not have jurisdiction but promised to raise one if this is repeated at the high court.
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