*Husband’s family applies for private prosecution

The Oyedirans

Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan

Mrs. Yewande Oyediran, a lawyer who allegedly stabbed her husband to death on 2 February in their residence at Akobo Area of Ibadan  was brought back to court today  before  the Oyo State High court,  presided over by the Chief Judge, Justice Mukhtar Abimbola.

Yewande was brought to the court premises in an ambulance of the Agodi Prisons, Ibadan with her face covered with clothes. But she slightly opened the wrapper in the courtroom so that the court could see her face.

Yewande Oyediran shrouding herself from the cameras

At the proceedings, a lawyer, Chief Michael Aliu, who applied orally that he should be allowed to watch the DPP’s brief on the case , was opposed by Oloyede Ashanike, the lead counsel to the accused.

The latter argued  that the DPP is in charge of the case.

But the court overruled the objection and granted Aliu the right to watch the brief, but he was not allowed to make any comment.

The court  adjourned  the case to March 24, 2016 for commencement of trial.

However, the family of deceased husband  applied for fiat for private legal practitioners to prosecute the case.

The family applied for the fiat through their legal counsel, Mr. Kehinde Adesiyan, in a letter dated February 15, and addressed to the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General, Oyo State Ministry of Justice.

Yewande Oyediran: faces murder charge

Copies of the letter were sent to the state governor, Director of Public Prosecution in the Ministry of Justice and the Chief Judge of the state.

“We most respectfully apply for the fiat of the Ministry of Justice as private legal practitioners to prosecute this case on behalf of the Ministry of Justice and the government of Oyo State. This became necessary in view of the fact that the accused herself is a legal officer, not only in the Ministry of Justice of Oyo State, she is an officer in the Directorate of Public Prosecution that is statutorily saddled with the handling of cases like this”, the letter read in part.

The petitioners contended that the refusal of the application for fiat to prosecute the matter would violate the principle of fair hearing and natural justice adding that justice should be done for the accused, the victim and the society.

The family, however, appreciated the Ministry of Justice for the prompt rendering of the Legal Advice in respect of the “matter and the filing of information to the Oyo State High Court for commencement of the prosecution of this case.

“Whilst the family appreciates your efforts, the family felt that for there to be justice to all stakeholders in this case, it will be fair and appropriate for an impartial independent legal practitioner to prosecute this case on behalf of the Government of Oyo State”.