Ondo Baby Theft: Court Rejects Lawyer’s Request To Bar Journalists From Court

An Ondo State High Court, sitting in Akure on Thursday turned down the request of the counsel to one of the two government officials of the Ondo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development that was accused of stealing a baby delivered by a mentally challenged woman, to bar journalists from covering and reporting the proceedings.

The two accused, Sarumi Adeyemi and Bosede Orisamehin, were dragged to the court for stealing, exchanging and selling a baby delivered by a mentally challenged woman, Deborah Iretioluwa Olorundare.

The counsel, Steve Adebowale told the court that stories written by the journalists covering the proceedings are untrue as the defendants have been found culpable of the crime, saying it is becoming embarrassing to the defendants.

He wondered why journalists brought cameras to cover the proceedings and asked the judge if journalists had taken permission from the court to cover the proceedings, saying “the press cannot constitute itself to an alternative court. The defendants have been embarrassed.”

But the presiding judge, Justice Adeyemi Fasanmi, said journalists do not need permission to be present at any court proceeding, noting that even in Supreme Court, there are seats reserved for journalists known as ‘press gallery.’

“This is a case that will deserve public attention. You cannot bar the press from the court. If any press maligns your client, you can sue them. I cannot stop the press from coming to court. I don’t have to know if the press is here. The court does not work on speculation. You have not directed my attention to any adverse publication on this case.”

But the counsel to Orisamehin, Victor Olatoyegun, urged journalists not to pre-judge the defendants, as well as present issues as they were without giving impression that the defendants have been found guilty.

However, the two defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, but trial was stalled as the defence counsel requested reports from the police and DSS that indicated prima facie case against the defendants, list of documents and materials intended to be relied upon against the defendants.

The counsel also requested for the statement of each and every witness which the prosecution intended to call or rely upon against the defendants.

But the prosecuting counsel, Bunmi Koyenikan, informed the court that only three witnesses were present in the court and because of items requested by the defence Counsel, asked for a shift in the hearing of the suit.

Justice Fasanmi, however, granted the defendants bail to the sum of N1 million and one surety in like sum who must be a civil servant from level 13 and gave the defendants one week to perfect their bail condition, while the case was adjourned to January 18, 2022, for commencement of trial.