Ekiti withdraws murder case against APC chair, two others

The Ekiti State government has withdrawn the charge of murder preferred against the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe.

Awe and two others were accused of complicity in the murder of two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members, Mrs. Juliana Adewumi and Mr. Murphy Jeje on March 30, 2013 in Erijiyan-Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government Area.

The two other accused persons who are also APC members are Mr. Sola Adenijo and Mr. Sefiu Owonifari. Owonifari died about three weeks ago.

Awe was forced to flee the state after the Ayo Fayose-led administration filed the charge against him.

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Kolapo Kolade, moved an application for the withdrawal of the case which came up for hearing on Wednesday before Justice Dele Omotoso of High Court 7.

Consequent upon the adoption of the application to withdraw the case, Justice Omotoso subsequently discharged and acquitted all the accused persons.

Granting the application, the judge said the court supported the development because it was to promote peace.

Kolade said: “What happened in court today is far beyond politics, the governor in his usual characteristic manner of promoting peace and brotherliness in all communities in Ekiti and across party lines has intervened.

“In this matter, so many good people across Nigeria, even the defendants in this matter, has appealed to His Excellency to intervene in this matter, particularly in Erijiyan.

“More so as the defendants and complainant are of same family, the complainants has given the go-ahead and said the matter should be withdrawn.

“This development equally supports the cause of justice. One of the cardinal principles of justice is promotion of peace.

“The major beneficiary is Chief Jide Awe, the APC chairman in Ekiti State. He, alongside his aide and other party members were alleged to have murdered late Madam Juliana Adewumi, mother of the Deputy Speaker, Ekiti State and Murphy Jeje, a member of the PDP 2013.The complainant is the Deputy Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

Defense counsel, Mr. Ibrahim Olanrewaju, said: “reason seems to have prevailed today; the Attorney General himself came to court to withdraw the charge.

“And by the provision of our law, the court was left with no option, than to discharge and acquit the defendants. This simply means that this charge can’t be filled in any court again.

“Like you all know the genesis of the case. We are not saying that somebody was not killed or murdered, but we all know that it is more of political fight than looking for justice.

“Taking from the words of the Attorney General himself, he said that they are trying to allow peace to reign in the community and to promote good neighborliness and we support it.

“We salute the state for doing this, we salute the courage of the Attorney General for the bold step and we salute the courage of our lord Justice Omotoso for discharging and also acquitting the defendants. He could have just discharge without acquitting them.”

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