Man, 52, In Trouble For Exhuming Corpse For Ritual Purpose

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A 52-year old man, Akeem Rasheed, has landed in trouble after he went to a grave and exhumed the corpse for ritual purposes in Oyo State. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Rasheed, has been arrested and charged  before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrate Court in Ibadan, for alleged unlawful possession of a human skull under the Criminal Laws of the State.

The incident happened on 11th October, 2024 at 1:00am, at Jegede Estate, Odeyale area, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The defendant, who resides in the Jegede area, Ibadan, was charged on two counts of improper interference with a dead body and unlawful possession of a human skull.

The defendant however, pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl. David Adepoju, told the Court that on October 11, at 1:00 am, at Jegede Estate, Odeyale area, Ibadan, Rasheed improperly interfered with a dead human body. He said that the defendant allegedly exhumed a corpse from its grave, removed the skull and burnt it.

The prosecutor alleged that the defendant burnt the human skull into ashes for spiritual purposes. He said the offences contravened Section 242 (1) (b) and 352(A) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000, which attracts several years of imprisonment.

The Presiding Chief Magistrate, Olabisi Ogunkanmi, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of ₦250,000 with two sureties in like sum. Ogunkanmi said one of the sureties must be a blood relative of the defendant, who must show evidence of means of livelihood.

The matter was adjourned till 5th May, 2025, for a hearing while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.