Two prosecution witnesses in a case of murder against a female lawyer, Yewande Oyediran, who were invited to court on Tuesday, have asked for N500,000 as transport costs to attend court sessions.
The murder case, which has been in court for several months following the arrest of Oyediran, an employee of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions in Oyo State Ministry of Justice, who was alleged to have murdered her husband Lowo, after accusing him of infidelity.
Mr Sanya Akinyele, a private prosecutor, disclosed to the court that the witnesses, who are the landlord of the deceased, Mr John Akinpelu and his wife Esther, have vowed not to turn up unless the sum of N500,000 was paid to them.
He urged the court to summon them and also the Chief Registrar to pay N5,000 to each of them to cover transport expenses.
Justice Munta Abimbola said it was disheartening for a witness to demand money in a case of such nature and also ordered a witness summon to be issued to them stating that failure to comply would attract the sanctions of the law.
He however ordered the Chief Registrar to pay N5000 to the two witnesses from the Internally Generated Revenue of the Oyo State High Court to enable them come to the court proceedings.
He adjourned the case till December 5, 2016, for continuation of hearing, as well as the consideration of the bail application filed by the defendant’s counsel, Mr. Abioye Ashanike.