Traditional ruler, son charged with murder

 

                                               Abioye

The head (baale) of Temidire Community in Alagbado, Lagos, Alhaji Nojeem Abioye and his son, Wahab, were yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja High Court for alleged murder.

They were brought before Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo for allegedly killing Alhaji Rasaki Olaniyan Olatunji, popularly known as Tunji Alaso and Alhaji Gay.

They are facing a two-count charge of “conspiracy to commit felony, to wit murder and murder”, based on the advice of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

According to the advice,  the offence is contrary to Sections 409 and 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge preferred against them.

Justice Lawal-Akapo ordered that they be remanded in Kirikiri Medium Prison custody.

He fixed hearing on the bail applications for June 23.

The DPP’s advice, signed by a Principal State Counsel, Mr. M. T. Adewoye, said 24 suspects were investigated by the Police for Olatunji’s death.

The DPP said a prima facie case was established against the Baale and his son and recommended the others’ release.

Olatunji, an hotelier, was reportedly killed during a riot last July 20 in Alagbado, which was allegedly organised by Abioye and the community.

According to the police, “Immediately the deceased’s vehicle was sighted, some thugs led by the Baale and others attacked him and broke the glass of his jeep. After escaping the attack, the deceased left the scene to report at Alagbado Police Station. Thereafter, the deceased and some police officers went back to the scene and he was attacked again.”

“It was the Baale who held him on the neck while Taofeek Olori and Idowu Terror, now at large, held his hands while the Baale’s son, Wahab Abioye hit the deceased with a shovel on his head and Taofeek Olori stabbed the deceased severally on his body”.

Yesterday, the late Olatunji’s elder sister, Madam Ganiyat Olapeju Popoola, told reporters after the proceedings that his widow, Idowu, gave birth to a baby boy earlier in the day.