Auxiliary reportedly collapsed before hearing in court, causing panic...

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

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

Auxiliary reportedly slumped without any warning, triggering panic among lawyers, court officials and other individuals present in the court.

CBI News reports that security personnel and court officials immediately rushed to his aid as confusion briefly took over the courtroom.

Due to the development, the presiding judge, Justice Bayo Taiwo, was unable to continue with the day’s proceedings and consequently ordered an immediate suspension of court activities.

Following the suspension, Auxiliary was evacuated from the courtroom and taken back to the clinic at the Agodi Correctional Centre, where he is currently remanded, to receive urgent medical attention.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no official information on the nature or severity of his medical condition.

The former NURTW chairman is standing trial on a 17-count charge bordering on armed robbery, murder, attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearms.

According to the charge sheet, the alleged offences involve the possession and use of an AK-47 rifle and two submachine guns (SMGs), along with their magazines.

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