Suspected Killers Of UNIOSUN Student Plead Guilty, As Court Orders Their Remand

By Grace Isaac

An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo on Tuesday ordered five suspected killers of a 400 level Microbiology student of the Osun State University, be remained in prison.

The suspected killers with the clay pot used to roa Timileyin’s head

The accused persons were arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder and felony.

One of the accused persons, Abdulrofiu Sakariyahu aged (19) pleaded guilty to all the count charges preferred against them while others including Yusuf Kareem aged (18); Ayuba Ibrahim aged ( 20), Isiaq Yusuf aged ( 40) and Abdulkareen Adeoti aged (50) pleaded not guilty.

According to the charge sheet, the five accused were alleged of killing one Sonibare, a student of UNIOSUN by hitting him with a pestle on his head which caused his death.

The prosecutor who doubled as the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state, Doctor Basiru Ajibola alongside with the Director of Public Prosecution, Mr Morufu Bello, said the suspects committed the offense on June 26 at Oke – Baale area in Osogbo.

he duo told the court that the suspects indecently interfered with the body of Sonibare by cutting his head, hand and other parts of his body purportedly aimed to perform ritual.

According to Ajibola, the offence committed was contrary to and punishable under Section 516, 319, 242 and 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Volume 11.laws of Osun State 2002.

Counsel to the first accused, Mr Alayo Abayomi urged the court to proceed on hearing the evidence of fact since his client pleaded guilty

But Counsel to the second, third, fourth and fifth  accused persons, Mr Kazeem Badmus made an oral application on the  bail of his clients, saying fourth and fifth accused persons had earlier been granted bail at the Magistrate Court.

Badmus assured the court that his clients would honour the bail if the bail is granted, saying sureties were already in court to stand for his clients.

In his swift reaction, the prosecutor, Bashir Ajibola opposed the bail application, saying “it should not be granted at this stage”.

In her ruling, Justice Kudirat Akano directed the Defense Counsel to forward a written application for the bail of his clients and ordered that all the five accused be remanded in Ilesha prison custody.

She therefore adjourned the case till December 15 for hearing.