A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State, Mr. Fatai Oyedele, popularly known as Diekola, slumped in court on Wednesday when Police brought him and two other accused persons for arraignment before a Magistrates’ Court in Osogbo.

Diekola, Segun Adekilekun and Sikiru Lawal, who were arrested by the Police on September 24 shortly before the governorship rerun election held in the state, were brought to the court by the Police, but Diekola’s ill health stalled the planned arraignment.

The three accused persons were released some days ago, following an ex parte offer obtained by their counsel.

After announcing the names of the accused persons, they stepped into the dock, but Diekola, who has plaster on his hand, suggesting that he was undergoing intravenous drip administration, slumped, while his fellow accused persons rushed to save him inside the dock.

Diekola,who looked very pale and sickly, was given a chair and the Magistrate, Mr. Olusegun Ayilara, ruled that he could not hold Diekola, who was “dying” in the court because of his ill health.

Ayilara said, “I can’t hold a dying person in my hands; take him away. Are you saying I should take the plea of a dying man?”

He asked the Prosecution Counsel, Felix Okocha; and the Defence Counsel, Mr. Bukola Onifade, to agree on a date for the next adjourned date because he could not take the plea of Diekola due to his ill health.

Ayilara said in his ruling, “It is very obvious that the accused person just fainted in the open court.”

The magistrate adjourned to November 23 for plea taking to allow the accused person to go for medical attention.

After the ruling, it took Adekilekun, Lawal and some lawyers some time to carry Diekola out of the courtroom.

The two other accused persons also had plasters on their heads.

The three accused persons were reportedly attacked at Alekuwodo area of Osogbo by some persons suspected to be hoodlums and were eventually arrested by the Police on the allegation of buying permanent voter cards at the scene. – punch

– Oct. 10, 2018 @ 16:12 GMT |