9th July, 2010
Chief Abiola Ogundokun, the publisher of the rested Conscience magazine, yesterday failed again to appear in court in a case of stealing, conspiracy and receiving of stolen property.
Consequently, Justice (Mrs.) L. A. Okunnu of High Court 37 (Criminal Law Division), Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, has fixed the arraignment of the defendants for Tuesday, 19 July, 2010.
Justice Okunnu had on Wednesday, 23 June, 2010 issued a Warrant of Arrest on Chief Ogundokun who is the second defendant for failure to appear before the court.
When hearing resumed, Femi Dansu, who appeared for the complainants, the people of Lagos, along with Mrs. A. A. Onafowokan, said they have not got any response about the whereabouts of Ogundokun.
He stated that when the warrant of arrest was issued by the court, they sent it through the State Commissioner of Police to the Deputy Commissioner (Investigation) in the Lagos Police Command to arrest the defendant, adding that he was still at large at the time of the hearing.
Messrs. Adebisi Adeniyi and Wale Ogunnaike, who appeared for the first defendant, Mr. Aramide Olufowobi, agreed with the submission of the complainant’s solicitor for the commencement of the trial proper.
Ogundokun had been charged along with Mr. Aramide Olufowobi for conspiracy, stealing and receiving of stolen property which were copies of a document titled: “Aregbesola, Man of the People,†property of Bancod Nigeria Limited, 37, Durosunmi Street, Somolu.
A source at the court told our correspondent that Ogundokun might be declared wanted if he fails to appear in court on 19 July, 2010.
A police source revealed that several visits to Chief Ogundokun’s Plot 500, K1 Close, 3rd Avenue, FESTAC Town, Lagos, residence had been futile with no traces of the second defendant who has refused to appear in court since the case was charged to the court.
—Jide Osokoya