By Rahaman Yusuf
The trial of the five suspects arraigned in the case of the extra-judicial killing of the 25-year-old driver, Temitope Olorunfemi, in Akure, the Ondo state capital was, on Thursday, stalled by the absence of the prosecutor.
The five suspects; Victor Amos, 30; Boboye Ismalia, 32; Pelumi Farotimi, 42; Nurudeen Kumuyi, 22 and Samuel Olatunji, 23, were dragged before the Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Oke Eda in Akure.
They were arraigned before the court by the police on three counts of felony, unlawful murder, and arson in a charge No. MAK/136c/2023.
According to the charge, the offences of the suspects contravene Sections 324, 316(1), and 451(6)(J) of the Criminals Code, Cap 37 Vol. 2 Laws of Ondo state.
The Chief Magistrate Musa Al-Yunus, had on Tuesday adjourned the case till today (Thursday) following an application sought by the defence team to enable each defendant file a counter affidavit to the application sought by the prosecutor.
At the mention of the case on Thursday, the prosecutor, Nelson Akintimehin, was said to be away for “an emergency training” outside the jurisdiction.
The development forced the presiding Chief Magistrate, Musa Al-Yunus, to immediately adjourn the case till Friday, April 28, 2023.
He added that the suspects should still be kept in police custody till the adjourned date.
At the last appearance, the prosecution had accused the five suspects and others at large of committing the offence on April 10, 2023, at about 9.00 am, opposite Odopo Town Hall, along Ijoka Road, Akure.
Mr Akintimehin, informed the court that the accused conspired to commit a felony and unlawful murder of the deceased, Mr Olorunfemi who was suspected as an internet fraudster “Yahoo boy”.
He said the five suspects allegedly murdered the deceased in cold blood with sticks, stones, and other offensive weapons.
Mr Akintimehin said the accused also maliciously damaged one Toyota Camry car with number plate KRD 627 GY, by setting it ablaze.
The court, however, did not take the pleas of the accused persons before adjourning the case.
