BY bartholomew madukwe
A member of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Sikiru Raimi, employed by Ijegun Community Zone, Lagos, as a security man, has been arraigned for murder before a Lagos State High Court for the alleged killing of one Nwoke Kalu.    The accused person, according to the charge, was said to have, on or about September 18, 2009 at about 05:03am, while on security patrol at 3, Celestial Crescent Water Side, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos State in the Lagos Judicial Division, murdered one Nwoke Kalu, contrary to Section 316 (2) of the Criminal Code Law Cap C17, Vol. 2 Laws of Lagos State 2003.

A mild drama, however, played out in court after the accused pleaded not guilty in English Language, only for his counsel to inform the court that Raimi does not understand English and would be answering questions in Yoruba language.“ Probably, he (the accused) saw other accused persons take their plea in English language and decided to take his own in the same language, but he only understands Yoruba language, maybe with a little pidgin English,” the defence counsel explained.

The prosecution countered,  arguing that the accused was asked if he understood English and he responded saying yes, before he pleaded “Not guilty.”

However, the trial judge, Justice Candide Johnson, allowed the plea to be retaken in English language and translated to the accused in Yoruba language. “The plea cannot be taken in English language and he (the accused) will be answering in Yoruba language,” the judge said.

seanet02:

As your Lordship wishes sir. Ceasefire straight.