Judge Issues Stern Warning: “Stop Leaving Charms in My Courtroom”

In a stern warning issued during the trial of five men accused of murdering Ifeanyi Etunmuse, Justice Hakeem Oshodi of Ikeja High Court cautioned the public against leaving charms in his courtroom. The judge expressed his concern on Monday after a talisman was discovered following the last adjourned date in the murder case.

“Stop leaving charms in my courtroom. It should not be repeated. A talisman was found after the last adjourned date in the murder case,” Justice Oshodi declared, referring to the charm as ‘property’ and firmly stating, “Do not leave your property here again. It does not work anymore.”

The accused individuals—Atunrase Omolabi, Shittu Olawale, Olaide Opeifa, Olanrewaju Adebiyi (aka Maja), and Jamiu Omosanya (aka Orobo)—face charges of attempted murder and murder in connection with the death of Ifeanyi Etunmuse at Western Funeral Home, Ijede Ikorodu.

During the trial, the defense counsel cross-examined the prosecution witness, Babatunde Olayinka. Olanrewaju Ajanaku, lead defense counsel, questioned Olayinka about the involvement of the defendants in the attack and whether he could identify them. The witness, who had hidden in the cemetery during the alleged attack, could not emphatically link the defendants to the incident.

Mahmud Adesina, defense counsel to the fourth defendant, further questioned Olayinka about Femi Onamade, a relative of Oluwatosin Onamade, who could identify the defendants. The prosecution counsel, Mr M. T. Adewoye, requested a witness summons for Femi Onamade to appear in court.

The judge, after re-examining the witness, issued a witness summons for Femi Onamade and adjourned the trial until February 19, 2024. In a previous hearing on April 6, the prosecution had alleged that the suspects also mutilated the wrist of Femi Onamade, the younger brother of Tosin Onamade.