By Sunmola Olowookere
It was an emotional moment at the Ondo State High court when trial began in the case of the slain daughter of Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Mrs Funke Olakunrin as her husband was called to the witness stand to testify in the case.
It would be recalled that the deceased was killed along Ore- Ijebu Ode expressway while traveling to Lagos by dare devil armed men that shot sporadically at her car which resulted in her death.
While testifying before the court, Idowu Olakunrin betrayed emotions while narrating to the court how his wife met with such a brutal end.
While being led in evidence by the Director in charge of the Department of Public prosecution, Ministry of Justice, Leonard Ologun, he requested that no one should refer to his wife in the past tense as he still believes that they are together.
He recalled the fateful day of her death and he told the court that he still spoke with her on phone shortly before her murder.
He said he was in the company of one Kehinde Aruwajoye, now deceased when his daughter, Oluwafeyisikemi Omosehin nee Olakunrin called him and broke the news of her mother’s death abruptly.
He testified that he could not drive again as the news was broken to him along Ijapo road, in front of College of Agriculture, Akure and he had to request his friend to take over the driving of the car as he was no longer composed enough to drive.
Olakunrin stated that they went to the hospital where the woman and another victim of the shooting were rushed to in Ore although he professed not to remember the name of the hospital due to his state of shock.
He disclosed that when he got there and saw his wife dead body, he passed out.
He said when he was revived, he was laid on a stretcher and he enquired if indeed his wife was killed and his friend replied in the affirmative.
The witness further told the court that he could not walk with his legs again and he had to be carried by people when his wife’s corpse was taken to be deposited at a private morgue in Akure.
During cross examination by the defence counsels; one G. A Gbadamosi for the first defendant and Chief Obafemi Bawa who stood in for the rest, the witness maintained that he was not there when his wife died and hence could not know who killed his wife or how and when she died.
They each asked only one question each. and they both commiserated with him over his wife’s death while the second defence counsel shared that he was also a widower too and understands how he feels.
Earlier during the proceeding, the prosecution had brought an amended information and the four defendants were rearraigned upon the amended charge which contained nine counts ranging from conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, murder to aiding and abetting.
The four men are Mohammed Shehu Usman, Masaje Lawal, Adamu Adamu and Awal Abubakar.
The first three defendants were arraigned on the first eight counts of conspiracies, armed robbery, kidnapping and murder.
They were alleged to have severally conspired together to commit crimes, murdered Mrs Olakunrin, robbed one Femi Ajayi Adeyemi of his N500 naira and his wallet and also kidnapped him.
They were also accused of killing one Matthew Ogunbiyi by shooting him with a gun,
While committing the offence, they were said to be heavily armed with dangerous weapons along with others now at large.
After their charges were read to them, they all entered a “not guilty” plea.
Meanwhile, the fourth defendant was accused of aiding and abetting crime.
The particulars of his offence read thus : that you, Awal Abubakar sometimes between 2018 and July 2019 along Shasha market did aid one Mohammed Sheu Usman to receive money used in funding kidnapping and you failed to report him to the police.”
The fourth defendant had also pleaded “not guilty ” to the charge brought against him.
Afterwards, the DPP, Leonard Ologun sought an adjournment to enable the prosecution bring on remaining witnesses as he hinted that his team still has five more witnesses to call.
The trial judge, Justice Williams Olamide thereafter adjourned the case till November 30, 2021 for continuation of trial.