Two Persons Remanded For Beating Soldier To Stupor In Ondo

By Niyi Olutunde, Akure

An Akure Chief Magistrate Court, Sitting at Oke-Eda, has ordered two men to be remanded at Olokuta prison custody for beating a 72-year-old soldier, Pa. Ilesanmi Adebayo in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

Pa. Ilesanmi Adebayo Receiving Treatment At the OAU Teaching Hospital

The two accused persons, Ologunmeta Akinwumi (63) and Folusho Falodun, (53) were arraigned on two count charges of conspiracy and attempted murder.

The duo, who are followers of a famous Akure-based thug, Ade Fayehun aka “Ade Basket” were arrested last week after beating up a 72 year old Adebayo during an argument over the family’s property.

Akinwumi and Falodun alongside others who are allegedly at large reportedly beat the old man by hitting stick on his head.

The duo were alleged of beating the old man to comma and abandoned him on the ground. It took the timely intervention of the Old soldier’s son and his brother who rushed him for urgent medical attention.

Pa. Adebayo was rejected by both the state specialist hospital in Akure and the Gani Fawehinmi Diagnostic Center in Ondo where he was referred to the Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital, Ile Ife.

The old man has been in comma since January 26 when the incident occurred.

The charges sheet reads “That you Ologunmeta Akinwumi, M, Folusho Falodun, M, and others at large on the 26th January, 2018 at about 5:10 at Irowo Street, Akure in the Akure magisterial district did conspire with one another to commit felony to wit attempted murder and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the criminal code cap 37 Vol.1 Laws of Ondo state of Nigeria, 2006.

“That you Ologunmeta Akinwumi, Folusho Falodun and others at large on the same date, place and time in the aforementioned magisterial district did attempt to kill one Ilesanmi Adebayo by beaten him with stick to coma and inflicted injury on his head and thereby commit an offence contrary to and punishable under section 320 (1) of the criminal code cap 37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo state of Nigeria, 2006.”

The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Martins Olowofeso told the court that there are six witnesses to the matter, adding that the court should fix a date to access the state of the health of the victim in the hospital.

Counsel to the defendant, Adelanke Akinrata argued that since the suspects are still innocent until proven guilty, they should be admitted bail.

But, Counsel to the Plaintiff, Kehinde Aladeduntire submitted that, although, the court is at liberty to use its discretion on granting bail, the enormity of the crime must be considered.

Aladeduntire plead the court to consider the critical situation of the old man in comma and dispense justice judiciously, stressing that prayers are still on so that the case will not turn to murder.

He informed that court that some of the witnesses who are members of the victim family are daily threathed on the phone with death.

Delivering her ruling, the Presiding Chief Magistrate Victoria Bob-Manuel ordered that the suspects should be remanded in prison custody pending the DPP legal advise over the mater before court will take their application bail.

Bob-Manuel thereafter adjourned the case till February 21.