ETIM EFFIONG
The Magistrates Court in Itori, Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, has adjourned for mention a murder case against 12 suspected killers of Olu of Agodo, a town in Ewekoro LGA of Ogun State, Oba Olajide Odetola to 1 July, 2022.
The 12 suspects were arraigned for allegedly killing Oba Odetola on Monday, 24 January 2022 and burnt his remains.
It was said that the late traditional ruler was attacked when he visited a portion of land in his town to clear the grave side of his late brother.
The news had that all of a sudden, a group of hoodlums numbering about 50; led by one Gbeminiyi Sotade attacked him while three of his relatives were assaulted and macheted.
Preliminary findings revealed that the suspects allegedly pushed the traditional ruler into his red Toyota Sienna SUV 2016 model with registration number APP 55 GF while one Agbara drove the vehicle in the company of other hoodlums to a nearby forest, they poured petrol on him and the vehicle was finally set ablaze with the corpse locked in it.
Two months ago, the police arraigned some of the accused who were Abiodun Sanyaolu, Lukman Azeez, Fatai Ramon, Adeniyi Samuel Akinjiyan, Femi Adeniyi and Monsuru Ramon.
Others are Ojo Olatidebe, Segun Akinjiyan, Adewale Odunayo, Oladele Idowu, Saheed Ramon and Ajinbosin Gbeminiyi, on three counts.
The suspects and others said to be at large were charged with three counts which are murder, conspiracy among themselves to commit felony, offences punishable under section 320 Law of Federation of Nigeria.
The charge sheet read “that the accused did murder one Oba Olajide Ayinde Odetola the Alagodo of Agodo town and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 316 and punishable under section 319 of the Criminal Code Law of Ogun State of Nigeria 2006.
“The accused also allegedly did set ablaze the corpse of Oba Olajide Ayinde Odetola together with his Toyota Sienna car with Reg No. APP 55 GF and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 443 of the Criminal Code Law of Ogun State of Nigeria 2006.
When the matter came up for mention on Friday, the prosecuting counsel, Saheed Yinusa informed the court that the suspects were not in court but remanded at Oba Correctional facility.
Magistrate O.F Adeduntan said the legal advice from the DPP is ready, but could not be read because the accused were not in court.
She then adjourned the matter to July 1st, 2022 for mention, ordering the prosecutor to ensure that all the accused were brought to court on the adjourned date.