By Wole Adedeji, Ilorin
An Ilorin High Court judge has ordered the arrest of one of the defense counsel in the murder case of a University of Ilorin student.
The trial judge, Justice Adebayo Yusuf,on Wednesday ordered the arrest of Mr Sikiru Solagberu, the defense counsel to one of the suspects, who allegedly raped and murdered a 300 level University of Ilorin student, Blessing Olajide.
Justice Yusuf said that the lawyer, who was counsel to the 7th defendant; Daudu Adebayo, made uncomplimentary remarks in the media about the case.
Earlier, Solagberu, had through his secretary, applied for the withdrawal of his appearance in the case, saying he was no longer interested in continuing representing the 7th defendant.
The judge, however, granted his application and also ordered security operatives to ensure Lawyer Solagberu’s arrest with immediate effect, for not telling his client of his decision to withdraw his appearance and for passing unpleasant remarks in the media.
He therefore adjourned the case until July 12 for hearing.
The lawyer had earlier, in the last adjournment, applied for his clients’ bail, but was rejected by the court.
Eight suspects were arraigned on June 30 for trial over the rape and murder of the 300 level student of University of Ilorin.
The suspects are: Abdulazeez Ismail, Ajala Oluwatimileyin, Oyeyemi Omogbolahan, Abdulkarim Shuaib, Kareem Rasheed, Abdullateef Abdulrahman, Daudu Adebayo and Akande Oladoja.
