Akolade Arowolo, who allegedly killed his banker wife, Titilayo, was on Wednesday arraigned for murder at a Lagos High Court in Ikeja.
Arowolo is facing one count of murder, a charge to which he pleaded not guilty.
Justice Lateefat Okunnu, who gave indication that the case would be treated speedily, fixed January 13, 2012 for the commencement of trial.
She also fixed January 12, February 7 and 20 for further trial.
Shortly, after taking his plea, Arowolo’s counsel, Mr. Olanrewaju Ajanaku, sought to be given all the documents that the prosecution would tender in court.
He said he needed the documents to enable him to prepare an effective defence for his client.
He said, “My Lord, I want to request that all necessary documents to be tendered should be made available to me now, because all I have now are statements. I need all the necessary documents to prepare for an effective defence. I don’t want to be ambushed.”
Okunnu aceeded to Olanrewaju’s request, directing that the Directorate of Public Prosecution, led by its Director of Prosecution, Mrs. Olabisi Ogungbesan, to furnish him with the said documents at the earliest possible time.
Ogungbesan, who promised to comply with the directive, had earlier said the prosecution had lined up 15 witnesses to prove its case.
The charge, dated October 21, 2011 and signed by Ogungbesan, reads, “Arowolo Akolade (M) on or about 24th day of June, 2011 at No. 8 Akindele Street, Isolo Lagos, in Ikeja Division murdered one Omozoje Arowolo.”
The prosecution said the offence was contrary to section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Law Cap. 17 Vol. 2 Laws of Lagos State.
The DPP had through a letter recommended to a Yaba Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, where Akolade was on July 8, 2011 arraigned, that the case should be transferred to the High Court.
Ogungbesan had stated that the result of the post mortem carried out on Titilayo’s corpse suggested that Arowolo had a case to answer.-PUNCH
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