The trial of Pastor Jude Ojo of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, is scheduled to begin on September 9, 2024.
Magistrate Antoinette Dirisu of the Lagos State Chief Magistrate Court in Ogba gave the date in a ruling of dismissing an application to forestall trial due to an ongoing case of fundamental human rights at the State High Court.
Pastor Jude Ojo, a clergyman of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, perversion of the course of justice, and aiding the escape of suspects who allegedly threatened the life of a traditional ruler of the Otumara community in Lagos, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the last court date on June 10, the defence counsel, I. Ilodigo requested an adjournment of the trial due to a pending fundamental rights enforcement procedure filed at the High Court in Lagos, where the defendant is an applicant.
The prosecuting counsel, Ben Emuerhi, opposed the plea by arguing that the trial is a criminal matter and not a fundamental rights violation case as portrayed by the defence counsel.
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He emphasized that the matter filed at the High Court is about fundamental rights violation, while the trial at the Magistrate Court is a criminal proceeding.
The three-count charge reads, “That you Jude Ojo ‘M’ and others at large on the 31st of December, 2023 at about 1900hrs at the CP Special squad, Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did apply and stood surety or bail for Shola Adegun, Festus Arowojolu, Friday Arowojolu, Rotimi Arowojolu who were involved in a case of conspiracy, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and threat to life, wherein you promised to produce the said persons on the 2nd of January 2024 at about 0900hrs and every subsequent date as disposed of or forfeit the sum of five hundred thousand naira to the Lagos State government but breached same by failing and refusing to produce the persons despite repeated requests and thereby perverted the course of justice contrary to Section 97 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.
“That you, Jude Ojo and others at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did aid to escape from the lawful custody of the police one Shola Adegun, Festus Arowojolu, Rotimi Arowojolu and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 107 of the Criminal law of the Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
“That you, Jude Ojo and others at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did stand as a surety and enter into recognizance in bond sum of Five hundred thousand naira for the bail of Shola Adegun, Festus Arowojolu, Friday Arowojolu and Rotimi Arowojolu who you promise to produce on January 2nd, 2024 and subsequent dates and which you failed to produce the said persons. You are hereby ordered to show cause why the recognizance bond of five hundred thousand naira you entered into should not be forfeited to the government pursuant to Section 132 of Administration of Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
