The Sango Ota Chief Magistrate Court, on Tuesday, struck out the case against Mr. Joachim Iroko, the trader accused of threatening public peace by naming his dog 'Buhari'. Mr. Iroko was arrested in August 2016, detained and subsequently charged to court by the Nigeria Police Force for naming his dog 'Buhari'.
The suit was dismissed following serial failure by the prosecution to present witnesses and the continued absence of the nominal complainant, who claimed that Mr Iroko named his dog 'Buhari', after his father.
The dismissal was sequel to an application by the defendant's lawyers that the case is struck out for want of diligent prosecution.
Mr. O. O. Adebo, the Magistrate, granted the application and the case was duly struck-out, leaving Mr. Iroko to walk home a free man.
One of the defendant's lawyers, Mr. Inibehe Effiong, told SaharaReporters that he warned the Police from the beginning that they had no case against Mr.Iroko and that there was no legal basis for his arrest, detention, and prosecution on account of a conduct that did not harm and could not have harmed anybody.
"There was nothing like an attempt to cause a breach of peace ab initio.I want to especially commend Mr. Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa for leading lawyers in defense of Mr. Iroko pro bono. I appreciate Messrs. Fadile Niyi and Tosin Adesioye from the chambers of Adegboruwa & Co., Mr. Adeola Samuel Opeyemi and Mr. Vincent Obetta, who were all part of the defense team, which I am proud to have been part of," said Mr. Effiong.
The lawyer also thanked the media for conscientious coverage of the case and Nigerians, who supported Mr. Iroko.
Mr. Effiong recalled that he led a campaign for Mr. Iroko's freedom and described the outcome of the case as a victory for justice and a boost for the image of the judiciary. He warned that should the Police attempt to resurrect the matter, they will be robustly challenged in court.
