Court Arraigns 13 Suspected Killers Of Kwara Monarch
Thirteen suspected killers of the traditional ruler of Owalare district, Kwara State, were arraigned before the State High Court Thursday.
The accused, who faced charges of kidnapping and culpable homicide, include Godwin Jacob, Olofela Oyebanji, Adefolalu Ayodele, Tewasie Francis, Babatunde Samuel, Godwin Joseph, Issa Mumee, Miracle Solomon, Abraham Kehinde, Muhammed Bello, Muhammed Muhammed, Ahmadu Umaru, Muhammed Dankai, and Saliu Murtala.
According to the charges, the suspects demanded a ransom of N100m but ultimately accepted N12m for the release of the kidnapped victims.
The Director of Public Prosecution, Barrister Muhammed Akande, informed the court that the offenses are capital in nature, requiring legal representation for the suspects. The office of the public defender has offered to provide legal services to those who need it.
During the hearing, the trial judge granted bail to two of the suspects who were initially on bail, while the others were further remanded in the correctional facility. The case was adjourned to July 30, 2024, for proper arraignment.
In a related development, one of the suspected killers, Olowofela Oyebanji, who is hospitalized in Lagos, was granted bail due to his health condition.
The prosecutor, Abdullah Sanni, requested to substitute the police report to add another suspect, Saliu Murtala, who was recently arrested, bringing the total number of suspects arraigned in connection with the case to 14. The other suspects were further remanded.
The case began when Aremu Simon Adeyemi reported the incident at the Eruku Police Division, alleging that the suspects killed the monarch, kidnapped his wife and another person, and demanded a ransom.
Adeyemi, through the police report, narrated how the suspects pointed guns at him, ordering him to follow them when he challenged them after noticing their movement around his grandson.
He said his grandson escaped through the backdoor while the suspects proceeded to kill the monarch, kidnap his wife, and one other person identified as Mercy.
Adeyemi was later released, while the deceased’s wife and Mercy were held hostage.
