Clerics Remanded In Prison For Ritual Killing

By Israel Afolabi

Two Islamic clerics who were alleged of complicity in the killing of a 400-level student of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Oluwafemi Shonibare for ritual purpose, Ishaq Yusuf, 49 and Abdulkarim Adeoti, 55 have been remanded in prison custody.

When they were arraigned by an Osogbo Magistrate Court on Monday, the police prosecutor, ASP Mireti Wilson told the court that the accused committed the offence on 26th of June 2017.

According to the charge sheet, Yusuf, Adeoti and others now at large on 26th of June 2017 at about 9pm at Oke-Baale area Osogbo conspired to commit felony to wit murder and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 324 of Criminal Code Cap 34 vol. II laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.

It also stated that the two accused person on the same day, place and time unlawfully killed the late Oluwafemi Sonibare by hitting him with a pestle on his head which caused his death and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 316 and punishable under section 319 (i) of Criminal Code Cap 34 vol. II laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.

The charge sheet also noted that the accused at the same time, place and date did improperly or indecently interferes with a dead human body by cutting off his head, hands and other part of the deceased and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 242(i) of criminal cap 34 vol. II laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.

The suspects were arraigned on three count charges. Their defense counsel Mr Kazeem Badmus pleaded for accused, but the magistrate did not take their plea.

The Presiding Magistrate, M.A Awodele then remanded the accused person in the prison custody and adjourned the case till 25th of September 2017 for mention at the High Court.