P.M.EXPRESS reports that the Presiding Judge, Justice Hakeem Oshodi, of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, summoned Inspector Mercy Douglas, to appear in an ongoing trial of Prophet Akinsipe in order to give evidence on her findings as the Investigation Police Officer over the alleged defilement of the victim.
The summon followed the non-appearance of Douglas to give evidence as the last prosecution witness in the matter.
The defendant, Prophet Akinsipe, was alleged to have committed the offence when the teenager was taken to him for a spiritual cleansing over allegations of witchcraft.
However, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. O.O Azeez, at the scheduled continuation of the trial, told the Court that their last witness, Mercy Douglas, was not in Court to testify and that they reached out to her but she did not respond.
Subsequently, the counsel urged the Court to summon the witness to Court in suit No. ID/14716C/21.
Counsel to the defendant, Mr. Kolade Obafemi, did not object to the application to summon the Police officer.
The judge consequently issued the summons and further adjourned the matter till 10th May, 2023, for continuation of trial.