Defence counsel’s absence stalls trial of suspects in FRSC officer, daughter’s murders

The trial of three suspects accused of murdering Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, officer Funmilayo Lasisi and her daughter, Adesewa, was stalled on Monday on the Osun State High Court in Osogbo as a result of no defence lawyer appeared.

The defendants had been introduced earlier than Justice Yinka Aderibigbe by officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service for proceedings referring to the alleged killings.

The suspects, Fajemirokun Victor and two others, had beforehand been arraigned earlier than an Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court over their alleged involvement in the offences.

However, the cost couldn’t be learn as none of the defendants had authorized illustration in courtroom.

An Assistant Director on the Osun State Ministry of Justice, Muyiwa Ogunleye, appeared for the prosecution through the proceedings.

Ogunleye informed the courtroom that the prosecution had not but served the defendants with copies of the courtroom processes referring to the case.

He assured the decide that the related paperwork could be served earlier than the following sitting, following an association to ship them to the correctional facility in Ilesa.

Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, Ogunleye stated, “The defendants were to be arraigned today, and they were brought to court this morning, but they were not represented by any lawyer. That is why the case could not go ahead.”

He defined that authorized illustration was obligatory as a result of of the seriousness of the cost, including, “Going by the offence they have been charged with, which is a capital offence, they must be represented by counsel.”

Ogunleye stated he had assigned a colleague to make sure that the cost paperwork and listening to discover had been served on the defendants on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

He additionally disclosed that the prosecution had lined up eight witnesses, comprising 4 cops and 4 civilian witnesses, to testify when the case resumes.

Justice Aderibigbe adjourned the matter till December 8, 2026 for the defendants to enter their pleas and for a doable listening to, whereas directing that attorneys should characterize them on the subsequent sitting.