Ex -journalist testifies for alleged wife killer at trial

Henry Ojelu/Judiciary Correspondent

A former journalist with Nigeria’s Leadership Newspaper, Efe Omordia today testified in the on-going trial of Akolade Arowolo over the alleged murder of his wife, Titilayo, a bank worker.

Akolade was charged with stabbing his wife,Titilayo to death on 24 June, 2011, at their residence at Akindeinde Street, Isolo, Lagos.

At the resumed trial today, Omordia who claimed to have also worked with the National Mirror newspapers as an investigative journalist told the court that Akolade has been of exemplary character to other prison inmates since he was remanded in Ikoyi Prison.

Omordia said she met Akolade sometimes in March 2012 at the Ikoyi Prison while working for Joy Bringer International, a non governmental organisation that conducts prison outreach.

She said Akolade was one of her students at the Character Training School of the organisation in the prison.

Testifying on Akolade’s character in the prisons, Omordia said; “Based on my experience as a trained investigative journalist, personal observation, one-on-one interaction, Akolade has shown wonderful, exemplary and responsible characteristics.

“He has displayed consistent form of maturity in his character so much that he was made a class secretary during our character training session inspite of the psychological issues he has been going through.”

During cross-examination, Omordia said he feel more of respect for the defendant and not pity adding that he was testifying at the court for the first time.

At previous sessions, Akolade’s parents had testified that their son was not capable of killing his wife.

His mother said her son had been a minister in the church since he was 12 years and so was not capable of killing his wife.

Five prosecution witnesses have however given evidence linking Akolade to the murder of his wife.

Justice Lateefat Okunnu has adjourned the matter till 27 March 2013 for further hearing.