Sat Guru Sacks Lawyer

Daily Monitor, February 15, 2000

Sat Guru Sacks Lawyer
Further hearing in the murder charge leveled against Sat-Guru Maharaji at the Ikeja High Court in Lagos took a dramatic turn last week as the accused changed his lawyer.

The self-acclaimed perfect master having been unsatisfied with the service of his lawyer, Chief C.O. Ihensekhien (SAN) hired the services of a junior lawyer who he felt could perform better on his charge.
When further hearing in the murder trial commenced at the weekend, the lawyer, Mr. Adesina Ogunlana led six other lawyers to defend Guru and eight of his members charged along with him for the murder of one Nobert Afesi on July 7, 1999.

The presiding judge, James Oduneye sought clearance from the new lawyer, Mr. Ogunlana whether he had the consent of the accused person in taking over the matter.

Ogunlana, however, said that there was no place in law where change of counsel in a criminal matter needs to be communicated to the court.
Justice Oduneye reacting to the comment said the notice of change of counsel required in a civil case is aimed at protecting the lawyer’s interests so that litigants would not dump them without paying their fees.
Oduneye also added that his court would prefer a speedy trial since the case is as important as any other case.

The case was then adjourned till February 17 and 29 for further hearing following the absence of the third witness who is to come from Ghana even as Justice Oduneye urged the prosecutor, Jide Bakare to ensure that the accused persons are brought to court when due to enhance speedy trial.