The family of Adesada Oganjugbe from Epe, Lagos State, has submitted a petition to the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA) regarding recent threats to the lives of family members. The petition highlights concerns over a magistrate court’s approval for the withdrawal of a case without the nominal complainant’s consent.
HURMA, in response to the petition, has committed to investigating the claims to ensure justice is served in this matter. The advocacy group has also urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Lagos State Attorney-General/Commissioner of Justice to intervene and investigate the situation.
The detailed petition to HURMA outlined the events during the last court session related to charge number R/38/2023, C.O.P. VS SHINA ADEBISI. It revealed that the case, initiated by Zone 2 Command Headquarters, involved the defendant being granted bail and remanded at Zone 2 due to congestion in Correctional Centers. The case was adjourned to November 20, 2023, for trial.
However, at the resumption on November 20, the prosecutor and defendant’s lawyer expressed unpreparedness for trial. The case was adjourned to December 01, 2023, and the defendant was transferred to a Correctional Center.
On December 1, 2023, the O/C Legal of Zone 2 Police Command moved a motion for the withdrawal of the case, acting on the directive of the AIG. The Magistrate, K. K. Awoyinka (Mrs.), initially declined the oral application and requested a proper written application. Surprisingly, an application for withdrawal was submitted by the O/C Legal, and the Magistrate consented to it, striking out the case without consulting the complainant or witnesses present in court.
HURMA, while condemning such actions, pledged to investigate the complainant’s claims. The group called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to look into the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal of the charge without the complainant’s consent.
Comrade Isiak Olaitan Buna, the Executive Director of HURMA Global Resource Initiative, emphasized the importance of obtaining the nominal complainant’s consent before withdrawing a case. He highlighted that the nominal complainant had reported threats to life and malicious damage by the defendant, urging the IGP and the Lagos State Commissioner for Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure justice is served.
