By Bartholomew Madukwe & Osayemi Ibukunoluwa
A defence counsel, Mr. Spurgeon Ataene, has told a Lagos High Court, Igbosere, that one Esther Ihedinma was tortured almost to the point of death by the police, in a bid to have her sign a statement written by an Investigating Police Officer, IPO.

Ataene raised an objection to a statement that was to be tendered by the prosecution and said to have been signed by Esther, who could read and write. “We apply that this statement be tested and call for trial-within-trial to test the voluntary nature of the statement,” the defence counsel said.

The presiding judge, Justice Aishat Opesanwo, in her ruling, held that proceedings would be stood down to enable trial-within-trial and adjourned to April 3.

According to the charge, 19-year old Esther is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy to commit robbery and attempted robbery. But she had pleaded not guilty to the charge brought against her by the Lagos State Government.

Sgt. Ajibade Saka, who gave evidence at the resumed trial, informed the court that the defendant (Esther), while returning from lesson, got initiated into robbery by a gang that gave her a toy gun to rob a boutique at No. 159A, Akerele Extension, Surulere, Lagos.  Led in Evidence by the prosecutor, Mr. Afolabi Sholebo, Saka said the defendant stated that on November 2, 2012, as she was returning from lesson at Jakande Gate, Isolo, she met one sister Joke who introduced her to the said gang.

“The defendant stated in her statement that sister Joke took her to Jakande Gate where she met a boy and a girl in a red car. At that point, sister Joke brought out a toy gun and brown cellotape. She handed over the items to Esther and tutored her on how to carry out a robbery operation in the aforementioned boutique,” Saka said.

Explaining how the alleged robbery operation was foiled, he informed the court that after the defendant had succeeded in sealing the mouth and face of one Rukayat Abdulsalam, a salesperson, Esther called some people on phone to come in.

However, Rukayat was able to remove the cellotape and raised alarm. This attracted the attention of the neighbourhood and police on patrol went in. The defendant was picked up at the scene and the toy gun was recovered from her,” Saka explained.