MICHAEL AKINOLA
Seven suspects, who allegedly conspired and stoned a Police officer, Inspector Augustine Okoro, to death while he was performing his lawful duty, have been arrested and remanded in prison custody in Ibadan, Oyo State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports their remand followed the arraignment before the Magistrate Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, for the alleged conspiracy and murder.
The defendants, Sarafa Lateef, 30, Saminu Ibrahim,28, Oloso Sikiru, 36, Fatai Yusuf, 45, Moruf Olanrewaju, 42, Isiaka Rafiu, 40, and Anuoluwa Akinola, 32, were charged before the Court for stoning the late Okoro to death while conducting stop-and-search routine duty in the area.
The prosecutor, Supol Amos Adewale, has earlier told Court that the defendants conspired on 25th April, 2023, at a Iseyin Road, Moniya, Ibadan and caused the death late Okoro.
He stated that the defendants beat and stoned Okoro to death, an offence he said contravened the Criminal Code of Oyo State 2000.
The Court did not take their plea when they were arraigned after the Police asked the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for advice.
The Presiding Magistrate, E. A. Idowu, ordered their remand at the Agodi Correctional Facility and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send it to the DPP for advice.
The matter was adjourned till 10th July, 2023, for report of the DPP’s advice to be available, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.