CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
An Ogun State Magistrate Court sitting in Ota has remanded nine suspects for allegedly kidnapping and killing six ladies for ritual purposes after they were arrested by the Police.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspects were: Moses Aruwaji, 45; Adebayo Azeez, 32; Mariam Aruwaji, 42; Akinwunmi, 20; and Sheriff Agbani, 23, Samuel Monday, 42; Osojieahon Aijonohouria, 24; Peter Oluwalolese, 48; and Jamiu Yufuf, 48.
They were charged for kidnapping, murder, robbery and conspiracy under the Criminal law of the State, which attracts several years of imprisonment or life imprisonment.
The Prosecutor, CSP Adaramola Felix, told the Court that the defendants and others still at large, committed the offences between28th September, 2023 and January 11, 2024.
The prosecutor alleged that the defendants conspired with themselves to kidnap and kill the victims: Sulaimon Adijat, Lucy Blessing, Lawal Adunni, Olarewaju Abosede, Ezeh Chom and one Pretty, for ritual purposes and robbed Adijat of her cellphone valued at N70,000.
CSP Felix said that the offences contravened Sections 23(2), 24(2), 319(2) and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun, 2006.
However, the Court did not take their plea after the prosecutor moved a motion asking the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for legal advice because of the nature of the alleged offence.
The Chief Magistrate, D. O. Ilo, ordered that the defendants should be remanded in Ibara Correctional Centre pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions.
The matter was adjourned till 8th May, 2024, for mention for the report of the DPP’s advice to be ready, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.