Court Proceedings Halted as Former Oyo NURTW Chairman, Auxiliary, Slumps in Court

Proceedings at the Oyo State High Court sitting at Ring Road, Ibadan, were abruptly suspended on Tuesday after a former Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state, Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi, popularly known as Auxiliary, collapsed during court proceedings.

The incident occurred during the hearing of a criminal case marked Suit No: I/74c/2024, The State vs. Mukaila Lamidi (Auxiliary).

Auxiliary, who was seated in the dock awaiting the commencement of the case, reportedly slumped suddenly, throwing the courtroom into panic. Lawyers, court officials, and other attendees were momentarily thrown into confusion as security personnel and court staff rushed to his aid.

As a result of the incident, the presiding judge, Justice Bayo Taiwo, was unable to continue with the day’s proceedings and subsequently ordered an immediate suspension of the court session.

The former NURTW chairman was quickly evacuated from the courtroom and taken to the clinic at the Agodi Correctional Centre, where he is currently remanded, for urgent medical attention.

As of the time of filing this report, details of his medical condition had not been officially disclosed.

Auxiliary is currently facing a 17-count charge bordering on armed robbery, murder, attempted murder, and unlawful possession of firearms.

According to the charge sheet, the allegations include the possession and use of an AK-47 rifle and two submachine guns, along with their magazines.

The charges are connected to incidents alleged to have occurred on May 29, 2023, at about 2:00 p.m., near the Ikolaba residence of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, in Ibadan.

At press time, it remained unclear when the court would resume hearing in the matter.