Prosecutors seek secret trial of Ese Oruru’s alleged abductor

Prosecutors seek secret trial of Ese Oruru’s alleged abductor

Prosecutors of Yunusa Dahiru, alleged abductor of Ese Oruru at Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Monday requested the judge to take evidence from the victim behind closed doors.

Dahiru was on March 8, 2016 charged with abduction, kidnapping, unlawful carnal knowledge and sexual exploitation by the police.

Dahiru pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against him.

Counsel for the prosecution, Mr. Kenneth Dika, who made the oral application before the trial judge, Justice H. A. Nganjiwa, noted that the victim, 14-year-old Ese Oruru, is a minor and deserves the protection of the court.

Opposing the application, counsel to Dahiru, Mr. Kayode Olaoshebikan, urged the court to rule on the pending bail application which, according to him, was filed on March 8, 2016.

However, the prosecuting counsel Dika, who opposed the bail application, argued that the accused is not resident within the court’s jurisdiction and is likely to jump bail.

The judge in his response noted that the lawyers on both sides had failed to provide the authorities they had cited to buttress their various arguments before him. He adjourned the case to March 21 to enable counsel to provide the authorities.

Justice Nganjiwa ruled that the accused should be remanded in prison custody till March 14, 2016 when he will rule on the bail application.

•Photo shows Yunusa Dahiru (right), alleged abductor of Ese Oruru, stepping out of the Federal High Court in Yenagoa after Monday’s court session.