The trial of Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi and others before the Lagos State High Court was again stalled as the prosecution failed to produce and serve the defence with the police investigation report and other relevant documents formally demanded by the defendants.
At the resumed hearing, the prosecution team, led by the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mr. Adebayo Haroun, again called its first prosecution witness, ASP Nosiru of the State Command Ikeja, into the witness box. However, proceedings could not effectively commence as the prosecution had yet to furnish the defence with the requested documents, including the police investigation report.
It would be recalled that counsel to the 3rd Defendant, Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi, had, on 4 November 2026, filed and served a formal Notice to Produce, requesting 17 relevant documents considered essential to the defence of the defendants.
Leading the defence team, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, was emphatic that the documents were fundamental to the preparation of the defence, stressing that the defendants’ right to a fair trial necessarily includes adequate access to materials relevant to the prosecution’s case, particularly as the defence would begin by effectively cross-examining the prosecution witnesses.
In response, the court resorted to a case-management session to identify and ascertain the specific documents being requested by the defence and determine their availability. Following the exercise, the court ordered the prosecution to serve the defence teams with all agreed documents on or before 15 November 2026.
The court consequently maintained the earlier adjournment dates of 19 and 25 November 2026 and additionally fixed 9 December 2026 for further proceedings.
Meanwhile, Chief Femi Falana, SAN, who has consistently appeared alongside Mrs. Abimbola Williams Akinjide, SAN, to hold watching brief for the prosecution, was absent from court. However, Mr. Olumide Fusika, SAN, a member of their legal team, was present to observe proceedings but did not robe.
MASSIVE SUPPORT FOR AKANBI AT COURT
Beyond the courtroom developments, the court premises witnessed an impressive turnout of supporters and sympathisers of Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi, including elderly men and women who came to show solidarity with him.
As Akanbi was eventually conveyed away from the court premises in an ambulance, the crowd erupted in cheers, expressing solidarity and encouragement as he departed.
The continued presence of supporters, including very elderly members of the community, underscored the considerable public interest surrounding the case and the growing concern of those following the proceedings.
