The absence of a prosecution witness stalled the trial of a Danish man, Peter Nielsen, charged with the alleged murder of his Nigerian wife and daughter in a Lagos High Court in Igbosere.
Justice Mobolanle Okikiolu-Ighile fixed April 3 for the continuation of trial, after the Lagos State Deputy Director of Prosecution, Dr Jide Martins, told the court that the last prosecution witness, a medical doctor, was not available.
Nielsen, 53, is charged with two counts of murder following the death of his Nigerian singer wife, Zainab Nielsen and their three-and-a-half-year-old daughter Petra.
He was arraigned on June 13, 2018 for allegedly beating and smothering Zainab and Petra to death at 3. 45 a.m. at No. 4, Flat 17, Bella Vista Tower, Banana Island Ikoyi.
The defendant had, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Earlier, Martins explained that during a pre- trial meeting with the witness, it was discovered that there were some essential information required by the prosecution which were not before the court.
Martins said: “My Lord, the matter for today is for continuation of trial, but, unfortunately, Dr Somairi (the witness) who is our last witness is not in court.
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“We were in a pre-trial meeting on Friday and realised that there are other information that is very essential and that information is not before the court.
“We hope that by Wednesday the information would be ready and we would serve same on the court and the defence.
“Our application is for the court to vacate today and Friday’s trial. He is a vital witness, whose testimony will help the court.”
In her remarks, Justice Okikiolu-Ighile said, “Learned Deputy Director, today is wasted, tomorrow is wasted, Friday is wasted. You have disorganised my list.”
Defence counsel, Olasupo Shasore, SAN, expressed displeasure at the development.
Shasore, however, suggested that costs should be awarded against the state, when imposes unplanned adjournments on other parties in a suit.
“We are not in a position to oppose the state’s application but with internally generated revenue of over N30 billion a month, the state is healthy enough to start paying costs,” Shasore said
NAN