Oniba kidnap: Pathologist says deceased died of bullet wounds

The arraigned suspected kidnappers of Oniba of Iba at the Lagos High Court, Igbosere – Duba Furejo; Ododomo Isaiah; Reuben Anthony and Yerin Fresh.

The trial of the four men who allegedly kidnap a Lagos State traditional ruler, the Oniba of Iba, Oba Goriola Oseni, continued at Igbosere High court as pathologist testified that the two persons who died during the kidnap saga were as a result of bullet wound.

At the resumption of the trial, the Prosecution team led by the Lagos State Attorney-General, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem presented another witness, Dr.Sunday Soyemi, consultant, pathologist and a senior lecturer at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

He told the court that he performed the post-mortem on the two deceased persons-the security guard at ‎the palace, one Sunday Okanlawon and the motorcycle rider, Joseph Okeke. Both of them were killed during the kidnap saga at the palace.

Dr. Soyemi told the court that the body of Okanlawo was identified by his son Seun Okanlawon and the IPO, Sergeant Ademo Rahim, while that of Okeke was identified by the IPO.

In his testimony, he narrated that “the essential findings on Okanlawon were a circular hole on the shoulder at the back, a structure on the bridge of the nose, and a structural defeat on the upper part of the head.”

Dr. Soyemi added that the base of the skull shows fracture and that there was bleeding into the brain and extensive cerebral laceration.

He said the result of the autopsy showed that the death of Okanlawon was ascribed to ‘severe crenel cerebral injury following a penetrative injury to the skull’.

Dr. Soyemi said that the autopsy result of Okeke showed a destruction of the left femoral vessel. “There was an entry and exit wound and this is usually cause by bullet wound,” he added.

Hesaid that the wounds on both bodies were consistent with bullet wounds gun shot, adding that after the postmortem, death certificate were issued to the families of the deceased persons.

During cross examination by the defendant’s lawyer, Dr. Soyemi remained firmed on the results of the autopsy.

Sergeant Ademo Rahim, an investigating Police Officer into the case had told the court that in the course of investigation, he discovered that the security guard at ‎the palace, one Sunday Okanlawon was shot in the head.

The defendants are standing trial on an eight-count charge bordering on kidnapping of the Oniba of Iba, conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, robbery, armed robbery and felony preferred against them by the Lagos State Government.

The defendants are Duba Furejo, Ododowo Isaiah, Reuben Anthony and Yerin Fresh.

They were first arraigned on October 24, 2016.

The charge stated that two deceased persons were murdered by the defendants during the alleged kidnap of the Oba.

Justice Taiwo adjourned the case to February 3, 10 and 14, 2017 for continuation of trial.

-Kazeem Ugbodaga