Ogun State Stops Attempts To Halt Murder Charge Against Elijah Adeogun & 2 Others By Prosecutors 

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

An Ogun State High Court, sitting in Ilaro and presided over by Justice A .A. Shobayo, has halted plans to stop the murder case against Elijah Adeogun and two others. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the Department of State Security in Ogun State had two years ago arrested Elijah in connection with the death of Monday  Eredua and Moruf Babakola in Ipetu Baba Ode community in the Ado Odo/ Ota Local Government area of the State.

The DSS, in a statement after the arrest of Elijah said, “Following the receipt of the petition from the Adelupo Family of Ipetu Baba Ode Community, on May 10, over threat to life and murder of one Monday Ereduwa on 17th November 2021 and Moruf Babalola, on the 26th May 2021, the tactical team of the Command conducted a special operation, which led to the arrest of Elijah, otherwise known as ‘Killer’ and one other, Oyelekan Okunade”.

The Ogun DSS added, “Adeogun has been on the wanted list of various security agencies in the state for various offences on land grabbing and gruesome killing of innocent people in the community”.

“Whenever he kills anybody, he harvests their hands and heads. When Moruf Babalola was killed, his corpse was taken away by Adeogun boys.”

There was however, confusion during the prosecution of the suspects when the prosecutor, O. F. Akinola, prayed the Court to adjourn the matter ‘sine die’ on on the instruction of the Solicitor General/ Permeant Secretary, Ministry of Justice.

The prosecutor told the court that a meeting “is still on” on the matter and that the ministry needed ample time to conclude investigation on the matter.

However, HB Ogabi, who held brief for the complainant, told the court that the principal witnesses in the case were in court and they were not part of the said meeting.

Principal Witness 1 ,Alhaji Agbalaya also told the court that the only meeting that was called by the Ministry of Justice was a land matter and not anything that has to do with settlement of the murder case. .

Justice Shobayo, while delivering her rulling said, “In the circumstances, this court holds the view that the prayer of the Prosecuting Counsel cannot be granted without the complainant being part of what is happening.

“Justice of the case demands that the state should have recourse to the interest of all parties in the case .The prayer is refused.”

She therefore, adjourned the case to the 21st of January, 2025, for further proceeding “noting that” that is enough time for the state to know the next step to take and whether investigations would have been concluded.”

During the proceeding, the Prosecution  Counsel informed the Court that the file was handed over to to her on Friday 30th August, 2024, by the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary ,Ogun State and he told her that a meeting is still on as regards investigations on the matter and that the state needs ample time to conclude same and arrive at a conclusion and that she should pray that the court to adjourn the matter sine die.

She said once they are done with the investigations, proper applications shall be made to the court ,whether or not to continue with the case.

Oludotun Osho for 1st and 2nd defendants said that he is aware of what the prosecution counsel said in court and that of the prayer for adjournment will be in the interest of justice, he would not oppose the prayer for sine die.