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Omisore�s acquittal suits Oyo ministry � Debo Akande
Semiu Okanlawon
Chief Debo Akande, the lead prosecution counsel in the trial of the former Osun State Deputy Governor, Chief Iyiola Omisore for alleged complicity in the murder of the former Attorney- General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige has dismissed any hope of appeal in the case, saying last Friday�s judgment of an Ibadan High Court in the suit suits the Oyo State Ministry of Justice.
Justice Akin Sanda of an Ibadan High Court had discharged and acquitted the impeached Osun State deputy governor over charges of murder and conspiracy to murder the late Ige, declaring that the circumstantial evidence relied on by the police was not sufficient to convict Omisore.
Speaking in an interview with our correspondent in his Lagos office on Thursday, Akande said in response to Oyo�s claim that it was studying the judgment to see if it there was ground for appeal, �That statement is vague because they said if they found grounds for appeal. I doubt whether they will ever appeal because the judgment that was given suits the Attorney- General and his party.�
The Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Oyo State, Mr. Lekan Latinwo, had stated during the week that his ministry was still studying the judgment explaining that if there were grounds for appeal, the state would appeal against the judgement.
Elaborating on the matter, Akande said, �You have forgotten that the Attorney- General of Oyo State at a certain stage, tried to interfere with my conduct of the case which I resisted. So, obviously, you should understand what I am saying.�
Akande recalled that at the change of government in the state in May 2003, there was an attempt by the new Attorney- General to interfere with his handling of the case noting however that the state governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja expressed his desire to allow him continue with the case.
He added, �They did not brief me. It was another government that gave me the brief. And when there was a change of government, I went to them to submit the brief to them. I asked them whether they would take the brief because the people who briefed me had been ousted from government. And the governor, in fairness to him, in the presence of his Attorney General and his deputy, said �egbon, we are no such intention�.�
Asked what would happen to the other 11 accused person also standing trial over the same matter, Akande said he had not made up his mind whether to continue with the brief.
But there were speculations that the Oyo State Ministry of Justice may soon discontinue with the trial of the other 11 accused persons.
Akande however said the Commissioner of Justice in Oyo State was yet to get in touch with him noting that he had to satisfy himself that his continued handling of the case of the other accused persons would be worthwhile.
He said, �I don�t know yet, I am yet to make up my mind whether to continue the conduct of the case, I am still to hear from the state government whether they want me to continue�
On the court judgement acquitting Omisore, Akande, though said the judge had chosen to see the presentation before him from the �angle he chose�, he however declined to comment on the decision of the court saying he respected the institution.
He added that he preferred to leave comments and opinions on the judge�s verdict to the �bar of public opinion�.
Akande also declined to comment on the question of whether the federal government picked his bill for the handling of the matter after the coming into power of a Peoples Democratic Party government in the state.
The PUNCH, July 02, 2004
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