Counsel of the Oromoni family, Femi Falana (SAN) has exchanged words with Mikhail Kadiri, the magistrate conducting a coroner’s inquest into the death of Sylvester Oromoni (Jnr).
Gatekeepers News reports that Femi Falana (SAN) has accused Magistrate Kadiri of saying the inquest was not a regular court at his convenience.
Falana raised this during a sitting held in the Ikeja Magistrate Court, Lagos, while the Coroner attempted to let Babajide Martins, Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), ask a witness questions pertaining to a report that had not been tendered before a court or served on all parties.
Martins had conducted an Examination-in-Chief on the Chief Pathologist of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Sunday Soyemi who carried out a second autopsy on late Sylvester.
Falana, while objecting to questions Martins asked concerning the first autopsy conducted, said the court could not allow it as the report was not before the court.
In reaction, Magistrate Kadiri said, “This is not a regular court”.
“You say this at your convenience,” Falana talked back, leading to a heated exchange between the duo.
Kadiri said, “If you have a problem with me personally sitting on this inquest, the avenues are there,” adding that “If you are not satisfied with me personally handling this inquest, the avenues are there. I fear nobody; I owe my duty to God. Learned silk is saying I do that at my convenience. Take that back.”
Despite this, Falana maintained his position, “He is speaking on a report that has not been served on us; I have not been served.”
In response, Kadiri told him he would grant him time if he needs to review documents.
Backtracking, Falana said, “Your lordship, if I have created the impression that I question your integrity, I take it back.”
On his part, Kadiri apologised for raising his voice and returned to the examination.
