From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

Yunusa Dahiru, who abducted 14-year-old  Ese Oruru from Bayelsa State to Kano State last year will know whether his application for bail is successful or not on March 21.

His apperance in court on Monday, March 14, was not without drama though.

Presiding judge, Justice Hyeladzira Ajiya Nganjiwa had told prosecuting counsel, James Anata, that he did not see the motion filed to take Ese Oruru evidence in private.

Anata had claimed he filed the application on Friday, March 11, so that the judge could hear the matter and rule for the prosecution to lead Ese Oruru in evidence privately.

However, Justice Nganjiwa, who searched through the files before him, said he had not seen any application on the issue.

“When did you say you filed it? I was here till 2:00pm on Friday (March 11) and I did not see anything like that. I said I did not see it till I left and even till this morning, I have not seen it,” he said.

On the bail application by Kayode Olaosebikan, Yunusa’s counsel, Justice Nganjiwa also said he did not see the bail application he claimed to have filed on Tuesday, March 8.

Olaosebikan, who was joined by four other counsels, said the application for Ese to give evidence in private was served but  that they would oppose it.

His attempt to orally present his address was, however, rebuffed by the judge who insisted on a written address.

On the bail application for Yunusa, which was supported by a seven-page affidavit, Olaosebikan said it was in line with Sections 152 and 162 in the administration of Criminal Act and Section 32 of the constitution which seeks an order to admit the accused to bail pending the determination of his case.

Anata, however, opposed the bail application, arguing that if Yunusa was admitted to bail, the course of justice would not be served, as the accused, who is not resident in Yenagoa, would go back to Kano where the Muslim community would prevent efforts to bring him back to court.

Olaosebikan urged the court to ignore the arguments of Anata as it could not hold water in the face of facts.

Justice Nganjiwa, however, adjourned the matter to March 21 for ruling on Yunusa’s bail application and the application for Ese Oruru to give evidence in private.