Police operatives from the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, Lagos, have arrested three members of the Odua People’s Congress, OPC, over the alleged murder of a 30-year old man, Muhammad Usman, by torturing the victim to death.
P.M.EXPRESS reports the incident happened at Honey Brook Chinese Estate, Isheri area of Lagos.
The suspects, Abubakar Shettima, 28, Tijani Musa, 24 and Asuquo Udoh, were employed as security guards on the estate, where they alleged committed the offence.
They were said to have accosted the deceased in the evening at about 8pm, tortured him by hitting him with fist blows and using sticks to beat him before the victim collapsed and became unconscious.
He was taken to an undisclosed hospital but before they go to the hospital, he was already dead; the doctor on duty confirmed him dead and the corpse was deposited at the mortuary for autopsy reports.
The matter was reported to Isheri Police Division and the suspects were arrested. They were later transferred to the SCID, Yaba, for investigation over the alleged murder.
After thoroughly interrogating them, the Police found them culpable and subsequently charged them before the Yaba Magistrates Court for the alleged conspiracy and murder of the victim contrary to Sections 233 and 223 of the Criminal code of the State.
The Court did not take their plea when they were arraigned after the prosecutor, I.G. Oriabule, asked the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice.
Hence the Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. A.O. Salawu, ordered their remand in custody at the Correctional Centre pending the outcome of the DPP’s advice and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send it to the DPP.
The matter was adjourned for mention for the report of the DPP’s advice to be made available, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.