The Ondo state high court sitting in Akure on Monday admitted the statement presented by the Department of State Service (DSS) against Prophet Babatunde Alfa over the missing of one year old boy in his church in November, 2019.
During Monday’s proceeding, a Senior officer of the DSS, Yomi Olabiyi, presented before the court,the evidence obtained from the defendants while in custody of the agency.
Also, while cross examining the DSS, Director of Public Prosecution, Grace Olowoporoku, tendered as evidence, the statements made by Babatunde and four other defendants before the court.
Counsel to the defendant, Olusola Oke, however opposed the position.
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According to Oke, the Counsel who was present while the defendant was giving his statement was provided by the DSS, from the legal aid council, contrary to the claim that the counsel was engaged by the defendant.
The presiding Judge, Olusegun Olusola, however ruled that, Section 17 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, allowed a defendant to engage a counsel from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria or Justice of Peace to represent him when security agents elicit statements from the suspects.
He ruled in favor of the admissibility of the statements made by the defendants as evidence for the trial on the basis that it was confirmed that a Legal Aid Council of Nigeria was present at the time of obtaining the statement.
The Judge adjourned the case till April 27, May 11 and 17 for further hearing.
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