The Ondo State Police Command arraigned five persons alleged to be involved in the lynching of a 25-year-old driver, Temitope Olorunfemi, accused of being an internet fraudster.
Recall that an angry mob on Monday, April 10, 2023, stoned Tope to death when his alleged reckless driving caused an accident that left one person dead and six others injured in Akure.
The suspects; Victor Amos, 30; Ismalia, 32,; Pelumi Farotimi, 42; Nurudeen Kumuyi, 22 and Samuel Olatunji, 23, were docked at an Akure Chief Magistrate Court on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.
The accused persons were arraigned on three counts of felony, unlawful murder and arson in charge No. MAK/136c/2023.
At exactly 8:50am, the accused persons were driven into the court premises in a black colour police Hilux van, under tight security surveillance. They were later guarded into the court by police officers, followed by their family members, friends and sympathizers of the deceased.
According to the prosecution, the accused persons and others at large committed the offence on April 10, 2023 at about 9.00pm, at opposite Odopo Town Hall, along Ijoka Road, Akure.
The prosecutor, Inspector Nelson Akintimehin, informed the court that the accused conspired to commit felony and unlawful murder of the deceased, Temitope.
The accused were alleged to have murdered the deceased in cold blood with sticks, stones and other offensive weapons.
Akintimehin told the court that the accused also maliciously damaged one Toyota Camry car with number plate KRD 627 GY, by setting it ablaze.
According to the charge, the offences contravene Sections 324, 316(1) and 451(6)(J) of the Criminals Code, Cap 37 Vol. 2 Laws of Ondo State.
The court did not take the pleas of the defendants for lack of jurisdiction.
The prosecutor, through a written application urged the court to remand the defendant at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending the issuance of advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions(DPP).
The defence team led by O. Agbede, in their separate responses, prayed for an adjournment to enable each defendant file a counter affidavit to the application sought by the prosecutor.
Chief Magistrate Musa Al-Yunus, granted the requests of the defence lawyers and adjourned the case till April 27, for reply to the affidavit and ruling.
He ordered that the defendants should still remain in the police custody till the next date of adjournment.
