Unilorin Rape Case: Judge Orders Arrest of Lawyer Over Comments on Social Media

Kwara state High Court sitting in Ilorin, the state capital on Tuesday 7th of July, 2021 ordered the arrest of Sikiru Solagberu, counsel to one of the suspects standing trial for alleged rape and murder of 300-level student of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).

The court accused Mr. Solagberu of exhibiting conduct unbecoming of a lawyer after Monday’s court proceeding by making uncomplimentary remarks in some television stations and social media platforms.

The suspects; Abdulazeez Ismail, Ajala Moses Oluwatimileyin (aka Jacklord), Oyeyemi Timileyin Omogbolahan, Abdulkarim Shuaib (aka Easy), Kareem Oshioyemi Rasheed (Rashworld), Abdullateef Abdulrahman, Daud Bashir Adebayo (aka Bashman) and Akande Taiye Oladoja were brough to court for allegedly rape, murder and armed robbery.

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The first three suspects are standing trial for alleged rape and murder of one Olajide Blessing Omowumi, student of UNILORIN in their Tanke, Ilorin residence early last month.

The other five including Dauda Bashir Adebayo (aka Bashman) were charged with receiving proceeds of robbery items.

The trio were said that have “conspired to rape one Olajide Gloria Blessing Omowumi also known as Wumi” (now deceased) while armed with offensive weapons including a black wooden pistol gun1, towel, rope, leather belts and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Law, Kwara state.”

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At yesterday’s proceeding, Prosecution Counsel, who is also the state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Salman Jawondo told the court that he received a letter from Mr. Solagberu (counsel to 7th) defendant indicating his withdrawal from the case.

He added that with the development the case could not continue, adding though, that his team had lined up seven witnesses for the day.

In his ruling, an exasperated Justice Ibrahim Yusuf said one Yemisi Ademola, secretary in the chamber of Mr. Sikiru Solagberu, brought a letter of Solagberu’s withdrawal from the case to his office.

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Justice Yusuf said that “after yesterday (Monday)’s proceeding counsel to the seventh defendant (Solagberu) made some uncomplimentary remarks in some television stations and social media platforms. The conduct is unbecoming of a legal practitioner”

“I therefore order security agents to effect the arrest of the counsel and bring him before this court to come and give reasons why he should not be punished.”

The judge then adjourned the case to July 12th for hearing.