Ondo: Court remands 36-year-old motorcyclist for murder

A Magistrate Court sitting in Akure has ordered the remand of a 36-year-old motorcyclist, Blessing Akinmade, over alleged killing of a 71-year-old farmer, Toyo Olanipekun on his farm.

Akinmade was alleged to have conspired with others at large and killed the septuagenarian in Igbobini, Ese-Odo local government area of the state, and buried him in a shallow grave.

The deceased was said to have been killed during a dispute between Igbobini and Irele over a piece of land and was killed while working on his farm on June 24, 2024.

It was learned that a search party was organized for the deceased when he did not return from the farm, but his corpse was eventually discovered in a shallow grave behind a primary school in the area.

The corpse was said to have been macheted while the police in the area swung into action, leading to the arrest of the suspect.

Akinmade was subsequently arraigned before the Court over the alleged murder on a two-count charge concerning conspiracy and murder.

The Police Prosecutor, Abdulateef Sulaiman told the court that the defendant and others at large committed the offense on June 24, 2024, at about 9 am at Igbobini.

The Prosecutor told the court that Akinmade unlawfully killed the 71-year-old man,  Olanipekun, and buried him in a shallow grave.

The offences, according to the charge contravened Sections 324, 316, 319 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 7, Volume 1 laws of Ondo, 2026.

But the plea of the man was not taken.

Sulaiman asked the court to remand the defendant through an application, at the correctional centre pending the issuance of advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP.

However, the defense counsel, H. Orisatimehin sought an adjournment to enable his client to react to the application sought by the prosecution.

The Magistrate, Temilola Olusola-Olujobi, adjourned the case till July 8, 2024, for the parties to move their applications and ordered the defendant to be remanded at any police station pending the date.

ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE 

• Senate in closed-door meeting to discuss Wike, Senator Kingibe’s row

• Suicide attacks: Deploy technology to combat insurgency, Senators tell FG

• Release Nnamdi Kanu for peace to reign, Southeast Senators beg Tinubu

• IBEDC increases electricity tariff for Band A customers to N209.50/kWh

• Gridlock as heavy rainfall floods expressway at Iyana-Oworo