A Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state
has granted a
prosecution’s request for a
private questioning of Ese Oruru.
The underage girl was last year taken
from Bayelsa to marry and
convert to Islam in Kano.
Her alleged abductor, Yunusa
Dahiru, is being tried on a five-
count charge that includes
criminal abduction, illicit sex,
sexual exploitation and unlawful
carnal knowledge of a minor.
Justice Aliya Nganjiwa, who
granted the application,
adjourned the matter to June 2.
Nganjiwa said after a careful
observation of the application, he
had decided that the girl’s
testimony to be given behind
closed doors.
“I premise the ruling of the court
on the provision of section 36
subsections 4 (a) and (b) of the
1999 constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria as amended.
“The evidence of Ese Oruru will
be taken in private and in
chambers, excluding all other
persons other than the
prosecution, the accused
defendant counsels, top prison
officials and any other if the
accused person does not object.
“It is only the evidence of the
victim, Ese Oruru, that will be
taken in private while the main
trial will be in open court; the
defence counsel have failed to
show what injury or harm the
accused person, Yunusa Dahiru
will suffer on account of private
hearing,” he said.
The prosecuting counsel, Kenneth
Dike, said he was delighted with
the ruling.
“We are sitting for the constitutional right of
the victim, Ese Oruru, and we want fair trial
for the interest of justice,” he said.
The defense counsel, Kayode Olaosebikan,
described the decision of the court as nothing
unusual.
On Yunusa’s bail conditions, Olaosebikan
said they were having challenges to meet the
conditions, and disclosed that they had filed a
motion to the court to review the bail
conditions.
“The court is asking us to bring sureties who
are residents in Yenagoa; so, it has been very
difficult and challenging to us to bail Yunusa,”
he said.
