By Dipo Awojobi – A Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa on Wednesday barred journalists and parents of Ese Oruru, the minor who was allegedly abducted by Yunusa Dahiru, from court as trial of evidence in private began.
Yunusa is facing a five-count charge of criminal abduction, illicit sex, sexual exploitation and unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor, Ese Oruru.
The Prosecution Counsel, James Amate, earlier told the court that Ese Oruru had delivered a baby and was available to give evidence. The 14-year-old gave birth to a baby girl on May 26.
Justice Aliya Nganjiwa, trial judge, who agreed to take the evidence in private, said that the court would begin the trial after all cases for the day were dispensed with.
At about 2pm, Ese Oruru was sneaked into the court room through the back door after the judge had ordered everybody, including Ese’s parent and journalists, to leave.
Dahiru’s defence team was led by Kayode Olaosebekan, while the prosecution team was led by James Amate. The Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) legal team representing Ese’s parents was led by Mrs Dise Ogbise.
It would be recalled that the court had on May 12 adjourned the case to determine ruling on private trial for Ese.
Granting the application, Justice Nganjiwa, who premised his decision on the provisions of Section 36 subsections 4 (a) and (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, said: “The evidence of Miss Ese Oruru would be taken by the court in private and in chambers.
According to him, evidence would be taken in private, excluding all persons other than the prosecution, the accused’s counsel, court clerks and prison officials and any other persons if the accused person does not object.
