BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
The Police in Osun State have arrested four kinsmen over the alleged killing of two people in a family land dispute.
The arrested suspects include two siblings: Jamiu Oyebamiji, 55; and Fatai Oyebamiji, 51; 49-year-old Salimon Sherif and 69-year-old woman, Latifu Alimot.
They were accused of being responsible for the killing of John Jonah and a woman identified as Akinwale Kehinde.
The four suspects, who are natives of Odeyinka Village, Ikire in Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State, were dragged before a Magistrate’s Court in Osogbo over allegations of murder and destruction of economic trees on the land in contention.
The police arraigned the alleged on six-count-charge bordering on murder, conspiracy, and destruction of properties worth N8 million.
Police prosecutor, Abiodun Fagboyinbo, told the court that Salimon Sheriff conspired with others to unlawfully kill one John Jonah and a woman identified as Kehinde Akinwale in 2021 at Odeyinka village, Ikire Osun State.
Their charge read that “Salimon Sheriff and others now at large, sometimes in year 2021 at Odeyinka Village, via Ikire in Osun State, did conspire among yourselves to commit a felony to wit murder.
“You (Sheriff), did unlawfully kill one John Jonah and Akinwale Kehinde. You, Salimon Sheriff, Jamiu Oyebamiji, Fatai Oyebamiji, Latifu Alimot, and others now at large, did with intent to intimidate or annoy, did threaten to kill one Akinwale Segun and Akinwale Kehinde.”
Abiodun further accused the defendants of destroying cocoa, orange and kolanut trees valued at N8 million belonging to one Akinwale Segun and also threatened to take his life.
The accused persons were said to have committed offences contrary to and punishable under sections 324, 319(1), 86, 517,and 451 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume II Laws of Osun State, Nigeria 2002.
However, the defendants’ pleas were not taken because of the capital nature of the charge that was brought against them.
The presiding Magistrate, Olusegun Ayilara, ordered that the defendants be remanded in Ilesa Correctional Centre while their case was transferred to the Ikire Magistrate Court.
