Auxiliary health status sparks tension as Oyo High Court summons Agodi prison doctor after former park chairman’s absence stalls trial
An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan on Tuesday summoned the medical doctor attached to the Agodi Custodial Centre of the Nigerian Correctional Service to appear before it on Wednesday over concerns surrounding the Auxiliary health status.
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The summons followed the sudden absence of a former Chairman of the Park Management System in Oyo State, Mukaila Lamidi, popularly known as Auxiliary, which stalled proceedings in Court 11 of the High Court.
Presiding over the matter, Justice Adetujoye adjourned the case to January 20 and 21, 2026, insisting that clarity must be provided on the true condition of the defendant before further hearings could continue.
Auxiliary had earlier been conveyed to court by officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service but was reportedly unable to attend the sitting due to alleged health challenges.
The court briefly rose before his case was scheduled to be called.
A source familiar with the development said the situation became dramatic shortly before the judge returned to the courtroom.
According to the source, officers from the custodial centre and some individuals gathered around Auxiliary, claiming he was unwell.
The source added that water was poured on his head while medicated balm was applied to his legs. Shortly after, correctional officers contacted their superiors, brought a service vehicle into the premises, and escorted Auxiliary out of the court alongside relatives and associates.
What raised eyebrows, the source noted, was that Auxiliary reportedly walked unaided to the vehicle outside the court, a development that left many observers shocked and unsettled.
Tension reportedly heightened when Justice Adetujoye reconvened the session and learned of the defendant’s absence. Defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, informed the court that he had been told Auxiliary was ill.
The judge then sought clarification from the prosecution. The legal team for the state included O.S. Tella, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, O.A. Bolarinwa, Senior State Counsel, and F.F. Gbadamosi.
Responding, lead prosecutor O.S. Tella narrated what she personally observed in open court. Her explanation failed to assuage the court’s concerns.
Justice Adetujoye expressed strong displeasure, stating that even if Auxiliary was genuinely ill, the court ought to have been formally informed by officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Both the prosecution and defence were unable to give a convincing account of the circumstances surrounding the defendant’s removal from court, a situation that further infuriated the judge.
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In a firm ruling, the court ordered the prison medical doctor to appear and account for the Auxiliary health status, stressing that the integrity of the judicial process must not be compromised.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
