Shasha market crisis: Court remands 7 suspects for ‘arson, murder’

A magistrate court in Iyanganku, Ibadan, has ordered that seven suspects be remanded in Abolongo correctional facility in Oyo state over alleged arson and murder during the Shasha market crisis.

On February 12, an ethnic clash between Yoruba and Hausa traders in the Shasha market had claimed the lives of some persons, and led to the loss of properties worth millions of naira.

The market was shut down by the state government, but reopened on February 23.

Following the attack on the market, the police had charged Tajudeen Oladunni, Saburi Lawal, Ojo Joshua, Adekunle Olanrewaju, Olagunju James, Rasaq Yahya, Olaide Olawuyi, and six others on counts bordering on conspiracy, arson and murder.

During the sitting on Thursday, Foluke Oladosu, the prosecution counsel, told the court that the suspects conspired with others at large, to commit the offence.

Oladosu said, on February 12,  at about 10am, the suspects caused the death of Adeola Shakirudeen when they beat him up in the market.

The prosecution also alleged that the suspects caused the death of 31 others.

She also alleged that the suspects razed two houses belonging to Adelabu Ibrahim, a trader, and caused damages worth N50 million.

The police also alleged that the suspects burnt down a house belonging to Osuolale Akindele and destroyed property worth N20 million.

The offence, the police said, contravened the provisions of sections 6 and 316, punishable under sections 443, 319 and 516 of the criminal code cap 38 Vol.II, laws of Oyo state 2000.

I.O. Osho, the judge, did not take the plea of the suspects “for want in jurisdiction”.

She ordered the police to return the case file of the defendants to the office of the state director of public prosecution (DPP) for legal advice, while the suspects were remanded in custody.

Thereafter, the case was adjourned till May 11 for mention.

The tension between the two ethnic groups had also resulted in the suspension of food supply for sale from the north to the south.

Northern traders, under the aegis of Amalgamated Union of Food and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN), had halted the movement of food items to the south in protest of a number of issues, including attacks on their members.

The strike was, however, called off on Wednesday.