Four suspects, Azeez Kareem, Usman Kareem, Oyeleke Amole and Tunde Amole were on Wednesday brought to the Magistrate Court in Ogbomoso over killing of one Aminu Moruf, a buildozer operator hired by Hastom Farms.
It could be recalled that the suspects and others, still at large had on May 3rd, 2020 accosted the owner of the land, Mr Debo Thomas Olusola, Chief Armstrong Olaleye, Olamide Alabi and other people who had come for the preparation of the clearing of the land for planting.
Mr Debo was said to have lodged a complaint at the Ikoyi Police Division in Oriire Local Government where he was told to come back the next day.
On Monday, May 4th, 2020, the workers had resumed working on the land when a former Caretaker of the local government, Hon. Odekanmi Olayinka Ishola allegedly led some hoodlums to attack the workers.
During the cross fire, the buildozer Operator, Mr Aminu Maruf was shot in the thigh.
It was reported that during the process of transporting the injured Moruf to the hospital, the bus conveying him to the hospital was waylaid by the same hoodlums where Maruf was matcheted in the head and chest which eventually led to his death.
The issue was reported at Owode Police Area Command where the police swung into action which led to the arrest of the four suspects.
The suspects were dragged to the Magistrate Court in a charge sheet, M*A/794/20 on seven count charges bordering on conspiracy, murder, illegal possession of firearms, destruction of property, encroachment of land, violence and inflicting injuries.
Count I read,
” That you, Azeez Kareem ‘m’, Usman Kamordeen ‘m’, Oyeleke Amole ‘m’, Amole Tunde ‘m’, all adults, with others still at large, sometimes between the months of April, May 2020 at Oke-Igba village in the Ogbomoso Magisterial District did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit Murder and thereby committed an offence punishable under the section 324 of the criminal code cap 38 Vol. II laws of Ọyọ state of Nigeria, 2000.
Count II also read thus,
” That you Azeez Kareem ‘m’, Usman Kamordeen ‘m’, Oyeleke Amole ‘m’, Amole Tunde ‘m’, all adults, with others still at large, on the 4th of May, 2020 at Oke-Igba Village via Tewure in Ogbomoso at Ogbomọsọ Magisterial District did unlawfully caused the death of one Aminu Moruf (m) aged 30 by firing gun at his leg while you waylaid and also attacked him with stones, sticks and other dangerous weapons causing him grievous hurt on his chest which led to his death and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 316 and punishable under section 319 of the criminal code cap 38 Vol. II laws of Ọyọ state of Nigeria, 2000.
Count III also read,
“That you, Azeez Kareem ‘m’, Usman Kamordeen ‘m’, Oyeleke Amole ‘m’, Amole Tunde ‘m’, all adults, with others still at large, on the 4th of May, 2020 at Oke-Igba village via Tewure in Ogbomoso Magisterial District did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit, causing grevious hurt/malicious damage and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under the section 516 of the criminal code cap 38 Vol. II laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.
Count IV read,
“That you, Azeez Kareem ‘m’, Usman Kamordeen ‘m’, Oyeleke Amole ‘m’, Amole Tunde ‘m’, all adults, with others still at large,on the 4th of May, 2020 at about noon Oke-Igba village via Tewure in Ogbomoso Magisterial District did unlawfully cause grevious hurt on one Aminu Moruf by firing gun at his leg and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 335 of the criminal code cap 38 Vol. II laws of Ọyọ state of Nigeria, 2000.
Count V also read,
“That you Azeez Kareem ‘m’, Usman Kamordeen ‘m’, Oyeleke Amole ‘m’, Amole Tunde ‘m’, all adults, with others still at large, in between the months of April and May 2020 at Oke-igba via Tewure in Ogbomoso at the aforementioned Magisterial District did encroach on the Real property which is actual and pcaccable possession of one Debo Thomas ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under the section 7(1) of the Property Protection laws of Ọyọ state of Nigeria, 2000.
When the matter came up in court, head of legal and prosecution department at the Nigeria Police Force, Zone 11,Osogbo, Barrister Olajide James Famuyini, said the Magistrate does not have the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
This, he said the prosecuting team will have the case file forwarded to the Director of Public of public prosecution in order to either file the case properly at the High Court or for the Police to continue with their investigations.
However, Magistrate Muideen Salami ordered the accused be remanded in prison custody at Ọyọ Town.
The case was adjourned till August 14, 2020.
