Murder of Lagos lawyer: Defence counsel stalls trial

Walter Oduagbaka, the defence counsel in the ongoing trial of Oluwaseun Oladapo, charged with killing a Lagos human rights lawyer, Kunle Fadipe, on Wednesday stalled proceedings at the court.
Oduagbaka told an Ikeja High Court that he “had not had an opportunity to discuss” with the defendant (Oladapo) and asked for an adjournment.
He said: “In the interest of justice, I request that the court should grant a short adjournment date to enable me to have discussions with my client so that he can have proper legal representation.”
However,the prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Idowu Alakija, objected to Oduagbaka’s application and urged the court to disregard the request for lack of merit.
In her ruling, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye granted the request of the defence on the grounds that lawyers needed the opportunity to confer with their clients to ensure proper legal representation.
The case was adjourned to February 18 for the defence to open its case.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the prosecution had alleged that Oladapo, armed with a kitchen knife and with an intent to rob, gained forceful entry into the home of Fadipe at 3am on July 4, 2014 at 1, Hamony Estate, Ifako-Ijaiye, Iju, Lagos.
Oladapo during the botched robbery stabbed some of the inhabitants of the home several times, leading to the deaths of Fadipe and his mother-in-law, Cecelia Owolabi.
The prosecution had on February 9 closed its case after presenting its last witness in court, Inspector James Adetoye.
NAN.