Traditional ruler accuses judge of bias in murder case trial

By Temitope Adedeji, Akure

The Ajagunode of Ode Community, in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Sunday Adewole Boboye has accused Justice Adeyemi Fasanmi of the Ondo State High Court of being biased in a murder case before him.

The monarch told the judge that he was biased in the case where his son and brothers were killed over a land dispute.

Justice Fasanmi had granted bail to the five accused persons dragged before his court on a six counts charge ranging from conspiracy, malicious damage, arson and murder.

Fasanmi granted the defendants bail in the sum of N5m among other conditions which must be perfected and met within 10 days.

The five accused; Ajayi Samson, Kole Omojowo, Oluwole Karimu, Akinsulu Mayowa and Lucky William from Isinigbo community had earlier been granted bail by a Magistrate Court. 

However, the monarch who was infuriated by the bail marched forward and accused the judge of being bias and lenient with the accused.

He said he has petitioned the Chief Judge of the state, requesting for the transfer of the matter to another judge. 

He reminded the court that he lost one of his children and two brothers who were set ablaze inside his vehicle.

He said that the judge granted bail to the defendants because he knew them, demanding that he should hands off the case. 

“Mr Judge, transfer my case please. You are just being biased; my son and relatives have been killed and as we speak, they are all in the mortuary. Still you have not done anything tangible about the case.

“Those who killed my family members are still threatening me and still, you fail to jail or pass judgement on them. You are biased,” he said while the court was still session. 

The judge after listening to the monarch demanded apology from him, saying his utterances was a stain on his integrity. 

Oba Boboye thereafter, tendered his apology, just as the prosecuting counsel apologised for the conduct of the complainant. 

Fasanmi, while maintaining that his character was unquestionable, withdrew from the case and transferred the file back the Chief Judge of the state for reassignment.