An Oyo State High Court sitting at Ring Road, Ibadan, has summoned the medical doctor attached to the Agodi Custodial Centre of the Nigerian Correctional Service to appear before it over concerns regarding the health status of former Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Oyo State, Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi, popularly known as Auxiliary.
The order followed the abrupt disruption of proceedings in a criminal case involving an auxiliary after he failed to appear in court despite being brought to the court premises earlier in the day. The incident occurred during a sitting before Justice Adetujoye, who presides over Court 11 of the Oyo State High Court.
Auxiliary, who is also a former Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the Oyo State Park Management System, was expected to take the dock when the matter was called. However, when the case came up, the defendant was absent, which triggered confusion in the courtroom and led to tense exchanges among the parties present.
According to reports, the matter was scheduled for a hearing at approximately 11 a.m. Court proceedings had already commenced with other cases being taken before the court briefly rose and later reconvened around noon. When the judge returned to the bench, it became apparent that Auxiliary was no longer in the courtroom.
Sources at the court said Auxiliary had arrived earlier in the day, appearing healthy, and had remained within the court premises while other matters were being heard. However, shortly before the judge resumed, correctional officers and some individuals were observed gathering around him.
Those present reportedly claimed that the defendant was feeling unwell. Efforts were allegedly made to revive him, including pouring water on his head and applying Aboniki balm to his legs. Correctional officers were said to have contacted their superiors at the Agodi Custodial Centre following the development.
A vehicle was later brought to the court premises, and the auxiliary was assisted out of the courtroom by correctional officers, alongside his children and friends. Observers, however, expressed surprise when he was seen walking unaided to the waiting vehicle outside the courtroom.
When Justice Adetujoye entered the courtroom and discovered that the defendant had been taken away without the court being formally informed, the judge reportedly expressed anger over the situation. The development immediately became an issue for deliberation in open court.
Addressing the court, defence counsel Olalekan Ojo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, informed the judge that he had been told his client suddenly taken ill. The judge then requested a response from the prosecution on whether they were aware of the defendant’s condition or removal from the courtroom.
The state was represented by O.S. Tella, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, alongside O.A. Bolarinwa, a Senior State Counsel, and F.F. Gbadamosi. Responding on behalf of the prosecution, Tella narrated what she observed in court regarding the defendant’s presence earlier and his subsequent absence.
Justice Adetujoye faulted the manner in which the situation was handled, stressing that the court ought to have been officially notified before the auxiliary was removed from the premises. The judge noted that even if the defendant had genuinely taken ill, correctional officers had a duty to inform the court promptly.
Both the defence and the prosecution were unable to provide a clear and consistent explanation of the exact sequence of events, a situation that further displeased the court. The judge emphasized the importance of proper procedure, particularly in a criminal trial involving a defendant in custody.
In his ruling, Justice Adetujoye adjourned the case to Wednesday, January 21, stating that the court must first determine the true state of Auxiliary’s health before proceeding. To that end, the judge ordered the medical doctor attached to the Agodi Custodial Centre to appear before the court.
The court ruled that the doctor is to explain the defendant’s medical condition and clarify whether Auxiliary is fit to stand trial. Justice Adetujoye added that if the defendant is medically confirmed to be ill, a new date would be fixed for the continuation of the trial.
