THE trial of a man and his wife, both medical doctors, over an alleged attempt to murder a 17-year-old boy, Somtochukwu Ezi-Ash, was stalled on Wednesday at a Lagos High Court, Igbosere due to the absence of their new counsel, Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN).

The defendants, Ejike and Grace Orji are standing trial on a four-count charge of ‘attempted murder, causing grievous harm, negligence and actively causing harm, preferred against them by the Lagos State government.

The couple pleaded not guilty.

On the last adjourned date Mr Olasupo Shasore (SAN) had appeared for the couple.

But when the matter came up on Wednesday, the case could not go on for trial as the defendants’ new counsel Bolaji Ayorinde, (SAN) was not in court.

A counsel from his Chambers Gold Mgbeahuru told the court that they had just been briefed and would need time to prepare for the trial as her principal was not in court.

She said: “We have just been briefed and Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), is on his way. I have agreed with the prosecutor that we can come back tomorrow.”

Responding, the prosecuting counsel, Adebayo Haroun, recalled that at the last adjourned date, Mr Shasore appeared for the defence. He said if he had known that the defence was not prepared, he wouldn’t have brought the witness to court.

However, when Justice Akintoye asked the defendants who their lawyer was, the first defendant Ejike Orji told the court that his counsel was Mr Shasore but stated that his chambers wrote to inform him a few days ago, they were withdrawing from the case for personal reasons.

The case continues on November 28.

During their arraignment, the Lagos State Prosecutor, Mr Babatunde Sunmonu, had told the court that the defendants committed the offence on July 26, 2018, at Excel Medical Centre in Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Sunmonu said that the defendants attempted to murder a 17-year-old boy, one Somtochukwu Ezi-Ashi, by unlawfully causing grievous bodily harm to his left leg.

According to the prosecutor, the duo caused grievous harm on the 17-year-old boy, by fixing a Plaster of Paris (POP) cast too tight on his leg without his consent or that of his parents.