I did not know how I got to Kano, Ese Oruru testifies behind closed doors

I did not know how I got to Kano, Ese Oruru tells court

MISS Ese Rita Oruru, the minor allegedly abducted and forcefully converted to Islam and married off in Kano by one Yunusa Dahiru, appeared before a Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, yesterday, where she was cross-examined in private. At the resumed trial, prosecution counsel, James Amate, had informed the court that Miss Oruru had successfully put to bed and available to give her evidence.

The trial judge, Justice Aliya Nganjiwa, said that the court will take her evidence after all cases of the day had been dispensed with. At 2p.m., Miss Oruru was sneaked into the court room through the back door, after the judge had ordered everybody, including Ese’s parents and journalists, to vacate the court room, leaving only the counsel of both parties.

At press time, Miss Oruru was still being cross-examined in private by Yunusa Dahiru’s defence team, led by Kayode Olaosebekan, while the prosecution team was led by James Amate, while the Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, legal team representing Ese’s parents was led by Mrs. Dise Ogbise.

However, a source who was privy to the goings-on during the private session, revealed that Ese was asked questions relating to her alleged abduction and journey to Kano. The source said: “She told the court that she did not know how she got to Kano. That she only woke up to find herself in Kano.

“We also learned that the judge acceded to the request of the defence team to vary the conditions for Dahiru’s bail.” The defendant had been in prison custody over his inability to meet the bail conditions of a level 12 civil servant, a traditional ruler from Bayelsa axis and a surety of N3 million.

While the judge reduced the conditions to a level nine civil servant, he also reportedly granted the prayer of the defendant to allow an Hausa traditional ruler from any community to stand surety. Justice Nganjiwa eventually adjourned the case to July 1 for further hearing.