Ese Oruru: Trial resumes as judge bars journalists, lawyers, victim’s parents

From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

THE trial of Yunusa Dahiru who allegedly abducted 14-year-old Ese Oruru to Kano resumed yesterday at the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State,.

Ese recently gave birth to a baby girl. She was cross-examined in private.

Justice Aliya Nganjiwa had, on May 12, granted a request of the prosecution to take Ese’s evidence in private.

In granting the applica­tion, Justice Nganjiwa had premised his decision on the provisions of Section 36 subsections 4 (a) and (b) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. He said her evidence would be taken by the court in private and in chambers 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.

At the resumed trial, prosecution counsel, James Anata informed the court that Miss Oruru had suc­cessfully put to bed and was available to give her evidence. The trial judge, Justice Ejija Nganjiwa said the court will take her evi­dence after all cases of the day had been dispensed.

At about 2.00pm, Jus­tice Nganjiwa ordered ev­erybody, including Ese’s parents, journalists and lawyers not connected with the case to vacate the courtroom before she entered through the back door.

He allowed Eseto be led in evidence by the pros­ecution team, led by James Anata and also be cross-examined in Yunusa’s de­fence team, led by Kayode Olaosebikan.