I did not know how I got to Kano, Ese Oruru tells court

MISS Ese Rita Oruru, the minor
allegedly abducted and forcefully converted to
Islam and married off in Kano by one Yunusa
Dahiru, appeared before a Federal High Court in
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, yesterday, where she
was cross-examined in private. At the resumed
trial, prosecution counsel, James Amate, had
informed the court that Miss Oruru had
successfully put to bed and available to give her
evidence.

The trial judge, Justice Aliya Nganjiwa, said that
the court will take her evidence after all cases of
the day had been dispensed with. At 2p.m., Miss
Oruru was sneaked into the court room through
the back door, after the judge had ordered
everybody, including Ese’s parents and
journalists, to vacate the court room, leaving
only the counsel of both parties.

At press time, Miss Oruru was still being cross-
examined in private by Yunusa Dahiru’s defence
team, led by Kayode Olaosebekan, while the
prosecution team was led by James Amate, while
the Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, legal
team representing Ese’s parents was led by Mrs.
Dise Ogbise.

However, a source who was privy to the goings-
on during the private session, revealed that Ese
was asked questions relating to her alleged
abduction and journey to Kano. The source said:

“She told the court that she did not know how
she got to Kano. That she only woke up to find
herself in Kano.

“We also learned that the judge acceded to the
request of the defence team to vary the
conditions for Dahiru’s bail.” The defendant had
been in prison custody over his inability to meet
the bail conditions of a level 12 civil servant, a
traditional ruler from Bayelsa axis and a surety
of N3 million.

While the judge reduced the conditions to a level
nine civil servant, he also reportedly granted the
prayer of the defendant to allow an Hausa
traditional ruler from any community to stand
surety. Justice Nganjiwa eventually adjourned
the case to July 1 for further hearing.