Court remands three in prison over Ekiti bye-election killings

A chief magistrates court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, on Monday, ordered the remand of three suspects arrested over the killings that took place during the house of Assembly bye-election in Ekiti east.

Violence had erupted during the election on Saturday, which led to shootings in some polling units.

The incident resulted in the suspension of the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while the police arrested three persons in connection with the violence.

According to NAN, those brought before the court on Monday were 38-year-old Adenijo Olusola, popularly called ‘Solar’; Paul Folorunso, aged 45; and Adebayo Serifat, a 40-year-old female.

The three are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, murder, and attempted murder.

They were accused of being involved in the murder of Babatunde Adeleye and Bola Adebisi, as well as the attempted murder of Bukola Olawoye, a female police sergeant; Akanle Oluwadare, Tosin Adeniyi, and Omolola Emmanuel.

The offences are punishable under sections 516, 319 (1) and 320 of the Criminal Code Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

M.A. Akala was counsel to the police, while Julius Ajibare, the director of public prosecution, appeared on behalf of the state government.

Ajibare, while referring to an eight-page affidavit, informed the court that the state had taken over the matter, and urged the court to grant the application of the prosecution in that regard.

According to the prosecutor, section 26 (L) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Rules 2020 and section 211 of the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, as amended, empower the state to take over criminal matters at any stage before the pronouncement of judgment.

Busuyi Ayorinde, counsel to the defendants, attempted to counter the prosecutor’s submission but his move was not allowed by the court.

Abdulhamid Lawal, the chief magistrate, thereafter, granted the request of the prosecution counsel, and ordered the remand of the suspects at the correctional centre.

The case has been adjourned till April 19 for mention.