Magistrate’s absence stalls rape trial of Nollywood actor, teacher

The absence of Magistrate A. A. Ajibade of an Osogbo Magistrate Court in Osun State, on Wednesday, stalled the trial of a Nollywood Actor, Mr Tunde Amoke, and a teacher, Mr Gbenga Samson Ayenioye, accused of raping a teenager (name withheld).

When the accused persons were arraigned by the police on October 7, 2020, the matter was presided over by Magistrate Opeyemi Badmus who ordered the remand of the duo and adjourned it till November 19, 2020, for hearing.

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Few days after the remand of the accused persons in Ilesa Prison custody, Magistrate Badmus was transferred to another court in the state and was replaced with Magistrate Ajibade.

After spending some days in prison custody, the accused persons were granted bail by Magistrate Ajibade. Thereafter, the case was adjourned till December 30, 2020, for hearing.

Upon Ajibade’s absence, the court has fixed February 10, 2021, for hearing.

The prosecuting counsel from the State Ministry of Justice, Bankole Awoyemi, and the defence counsel, Abimbola Ige, agreed on the new date.