Court Remands Killer of Two Ekiti  Traditional Rulers  at Ado Prison

•FG arraigns alleged murderer of Imo Monarch on fresh charges

Alex Enumah in Abuja and Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

The police in Ekiti State have arraigned one of the alleged criminals, Bubuga Lede, 25, who murdered two traditional rulers in Ekiti State, while attempting to kidnap them.

The court has therefore ordered  the defendant to be remanded at the Correctional Custody in Ado-Ekiti for 30 days by the Magistrate court.

In a similar development, Jude Iheme and Chika Madukwe accused of kidnapping and killing the traditional ruler of Amanze Obowo Autonomous Community of Imo State, Eze Basil Njoku, were to face fresh terrorism charges at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on March 12.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Osuolale Yomi,  had informed the Magistrate Court in Ekiti that there was probably cause to ordered the remand the defendant at the Correctional Centre in Ado-Ekiti.

Inspector Yomi,  said the defendant was reasonably suspected to have committed an offence conspiracy to kidnap, attempt to murder and murder of Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakin and Oba Samuel Olatunde Ishola.

The prosecutor also alleged  that the  defendant attempt to kidnap Oba Samuel Adebayo Fatoba and Bamidele Ibikunle Joseph (Driver).

He said the offence was punishable under Section 280, 241 and 234 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State 2021, within Ekiti Magisterial District on 29th day of January, 2024.

Inspector Yomi said the defendant was arrested in Ikole-Ekiti on January 29, with offensive weapons, adding that the duplicate case file has been forwarded to the Ekiti State DPP for legal advice.

The defendant  was represented by Barrister Olusoji Oladele.

The Magistrate, O. F. Bamidele, ordered the remand of the defendant at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Custody for 30 days pending legal advice from the DPP and adjourned the case till April 24, for hearing.

In Imo, Iheme, 52 years and of Amagwu Amanze Obowo Local Government Area of Imo; and Madukwe,  42 years, of Ndi-Uche Etiti Omuimo Local Government Area also of Imo State were said to have killed the traditional ruler on December 17, 2022.

They were accused of killing the monarch while coming from the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia after kidnapping and collecting a ransom of N4 million cash from his family.

The Inspector General (IG) of Police had filed a 3-count terrorism charge against them marked FHC/ABJ/CR/575/2024.

The two defendants, alongside others said to be at large were said to have conspired to commit felony to wit, acts of terrorism contrary to Section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.

They were also said to have armed themselves with guns and offensive weapons, attacked, kidnapped and killed the monarch on December 17, 2022.

The defendants were accused of failing to volunteer information at their disposal to security agencies, which could have led to apprehension of other kidnappers contrary to section 16 of the same Terrorism Act.

When the charge was read to them before Justice Binta Nyako, they pleaded not guilty.

Responding, prosecution lawyer, Mr Simon Lough, SAN, informed the court that the prosecution has amended the charges following the arrest of more suspects by its operatives.

He requested for a date for the other suspects to be brought to court to take plea in the amended charges.

Subsequently, trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako granted the request and fixed March 12 for the fresh arraignment.

The Judge ordered that the two defendants be remanded at Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja, and be returned to court on the adjourned date.