A Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa over the alleged abduction of under-aged Ese Oruru today adjourned to May 12 to rule on an application for private trial filed by the prosecuting counsel.
Justice Aliya Nganjiwa, presiding, said that the court wanted to ensure that justice prevails in the matter.
The prosecuting counsel, Keneth Dike, who filed the application, said the motive was to enable the evidence of the victim to be obtained in private, adding that at stake was the constitutional right of Ms. Oruru to “fair trial.”
“For the interest justice, we must protect her image and future; we are seeking the leave of the court to take the evidence of the victim in private excluding every other person except the parties and the counsel,” he said.
Defense counsel Kayode Olaosebikan, opposing the application, said there was no merit in taking evidence in private, arguing that pictures of Ms. Oruru were already in various media, including the Internet.
On the bail ruling given by the court for the suspect, Yunusa Dahiru, Mr. Olaosebikan expressed regret that the defence has been unable to meet them.
“We were unable to meet the condition that the sureties must be residents in Yenagoa, so, it has been difficult for us to bail him,” he said.
Yunusa will, therefore, remain in custody until May 12.