Crime

Timothy Adegoke: Adedoyin Gets Death Sentence

By Web News 741

By Adenitan Akinola

An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo has sentenced to death by hanging owner of Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife, Chief Rahmon Adedoyin guilty of the offences of conspiracy and murder of Timothy Adegoke, postgraduate student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

The Osun Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo, while delivering her judgement on the case, held that the circumstantial evidence available to the court, pointed to the killing of Adegoke while being a guest at the hotel owned by the convict.

Justice Ojo also said Adedoyin’s decision not to enter the witness box meant he agreed to the murder charge pressed against him by the prosecution, dismissing the alibi pleaded on his behalf by his counsel, who said the hotel owner was in Abuja for many days around the time the death of the late Adegoke occurred.

Details later

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Judiciary

OAU Student Murder Case: Court Denies Hotelier, Six others Bail

By Web News 896 Post a comment

An Osun State High Court, Osogbo presided over by Chief Justice of Osun State, Adepele Ojo has denied the bail application of the owner of Hilton Hotel and Resort, Dr Rahmon Adedoyin and six staff over the alleged murder of a Master student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. 

The defendants; Dr Rahmon Adedoyin, Magdalene Chiefuna, Adeniyi Aderogba, Oluwole Lawrence, Oyetunde Kazeem Adebayo Kunle and Adedeji Adesola are facing trial on eleven counts bothering on murder, conspiracy, felony amongst others. 

Justice Ojo refused the bail application of the defendants stating that their health condition are not critical. 

Upon arraignment, the counsel to the defendants, Messers Adekunle Adegoke (SAN), K. K Eleja (SAN) and Okon Ita had moved the bail application for seven defendants which was opposed by the prosecutor, M O Omosun. The bail was argued by both the counsel and prosecutor and Justice Adepele Ojo reserved ruling till today. 

The trial Judge maintained that the defendants had not placed anything before the court that suggested that the Ilesa correctional center could take care of the health needs of the suspects.

Trial subsequently resumed after the ruling on bail application.

Akinola Adenitan

Judiciary

OAU Students’ Death: Court Remands Ramon Adedoyin

By Web News 816

The Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State Capital, has ordered the remand of the founder of Oduduwa University Ile-Ife(OUI), Dr. Ramon Adegoke Adedoyin over the death of Timothy Adegoke, a postgraduate student at Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU.

According to correspondent, there was heavy security presence of security personnel at the premises of Osun state High Court, as the owner of Hiltons Hotel, Ile-Ife, Dr Ramon Adedoyin, and six others arrested in connection with the death of master student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Timothy Adegoke, appeared before the court.

The defendants appeared at court 1, where Osun state Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo, presided over the matter.

Adedoyin, as well as, Adedeji Adesola, Magdalene Chiefuna, Adeniyi Aderogba, Oluwale Lawrence, Oyetunde Kazeem and Adebayo Kunle, had previously been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on counts bordering on conspiracy, unlawful interference with a dead body, altering and intent to destroy evidence and murder.

But counsel to the family of the deceased, Femi Falana, SAN, had written to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba asking that the matter be returned to Osun state, where the crime was allegedly committed.

Adenitan Akinola

Judiciary

Masquerade Custodian, Three Others Remanded Over Murder

By Web News 696

An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo has remanded masquerade custodian, Chief Kayode Esuleke, his son, Ifasola Esuleke and two others over the alleged murder of a member of Kamarudeen Mosque Moshood Salawudeen in a Mosque. 

The defendants, Chief Kayode Esuleke, Kola Adeosun, Akeem Idowu and Ifasola Esuleke were arraigned in the court on thirteen counts of murder, attempted murder, malicious damage, assault, breach of public peace and engaging in a public fight.

However, they all pleaded not guilty to the alleged offenses pressed against them. 

Justice Ayo Oyebiyi who presided over the matter ordered that they should be remanded in Ilesha Correctional Facility and adjourned the matter till September 21st, 2021 for consideration of bail. 

Radio Nigeria recalls that Masquerade followers and Muslim worshipers clashed at Kamarudeen mosques on June 27th 2021 where one person was killed, many were injured and properties destroyed. 

Akinola Adenitan

Crime

Osun Court Jails Man for Duping American

By Web News 712

An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo has sentenced a middle-aged man, Ejikunle Olugbenga, to two years imprisonment for fraudulently duping an American. 

Justice Wasiu Akanbi in his verdict said the decision was consequent upon the plea bargain entered into by the accused with the EFCC.

The convict was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, on one count charge of internet fraud. 

During trial, EFCC prosecutor, Mr Sulaeman Abdu Rasheed, told the court that the convict presented himself as a lady, Susan Ayoola, to dupe his American victim, Anthony, to the tune of 50 US Dollars. 

The accused pleaded guilty to the crime pressed against him by the EFCC. 

The prosecution had also earlier informed the court that the convict had entered a plea bargain and had agreed to forfeit the proceed of his fraud and the Techno phone used to perpetrate the crime. 

Justice Akanbi thereby sentenced Olugbenga to two years imprisonment starting from the date of his arrest on December 4, 2018.

The Judge ordered that the Techno phone should be sold on auction and the proceeds including the 50 US Dollars be remitted to the coffers of the Federal Government. 

Adenitan

Judiciary News

Late Senator Adeleke: Court Discharges Nurse

By Web News 838

An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo has discharged and acquitted a nurse, Alfred Aderibigbe who treated Late Senator Isiaka Adeleke before his death on April 23, 2017. 


Nurse Alfred Aderibigbe was arraigned in the High Court on 8th June 2018 and he pleaded not guilty to one count murder charge preferred against him according to section 316 and punishable under section 319 of the Criminal Code Law Cap.36 Law of Osun State 2003.

The Prosecuting team from the Ministry of Justice led by Acting Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Mr Dapo Adeniji called nine (9) witnesses and tendered several exhibits during the trial.

Among the witnesses were the former Chief Medical Director of Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Prof. Akeem Lasisi, the Consultant Pathologist, who carried out the autopsy on Adeleke’s corpse, Dr Taiwo Sholaja, police forensic expert and others. 

In his own evidence during trial, Aderibigbe said the drugs he gave the late Senator were those given to him by the deceased and not in overdose.

Counsel to the nurse, Mr Soji Oyetayo, informed the court that none of the witnesses visited the late Senator house to confirm if the used drugs brought to the Court were truly administered to the deceased.

In his judgment, Justice Ayo Oyebiyi said that Prosecution Counsel failed to proof his case beyond a reasonable doubt and consequently discharged and acquitted the defendant.

Recall that former governor, Rauf Aregbesola signed an Executive Order setting up a coroner inquest to look into the cause of the death of Senator Isiaka Adeleke. 

The findings of the Corona Inquest led by Chief Magistrate, Dr Segun Ayilara revealed that Senator Isiaka Adeleke died of drug overdose coupled with an aspiration of gastric content. 

Dr Ayilara’s inquest affirmed that the deceased had an administration of an overdose of sedative and analgesia by unqualified personnel, Alfred Aderibigbe, through intravenous means, the action hastened by the presence of alcohol in the body system.

The deceased had patronised the nurse for over 20 years and had taken treatment from him without a doctor’s prescriptions.

Ayilara indicted the nurse, Mr Alfred Aderibigbe, who treated Adeleke shortly before he died, as unqualified personnel and recommended that the Department of Public Prosecutions should duplicate the case file and press approbation charges against the nurse.

Adenitan

Judiciary

Court Sentences Man to Death in Osun

By Web News 790

An Osun State High Court sitting in Ede presided by Justice Kudirat Akano has sentenced a 44 years old man, Rafiu Saheed, to death for armed Robbery.

The Convict was arraigned in the Court on 30th November, 2017 on two counts charge of attempted murder and armed robbery contrary to sections 6(b) and 1(2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms section 320 Criminal Code Law, Cap 34, Laws of Osun State, 2002 and Section 1(2) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. 

Convict pleaded not guilty, to the two counts charge preferred against him.

Prosecution Counsel from the Ministry of Justice Mr Bankole Awoyemi earlier told the court that Rafiu Saheed (convict) sometimes on 30th July, 2012, contracted Mr. Olaniyi Olayinka a motorcycle operator to take him to his brother’s house at Ipetumodu from Ile-Ife. 

On getting to Ipetumodu, they did not meet the convict’s brother, the Convict then informed the motorcyclist to take him back to Ile-Ife.

While returning, the convict took out a knife and slit the throat of the motorcyclist and took away the motorcycle belonging to Olaniyi Olayinka thinking he was dead. 

Motorcyclist Olaniyi Olayinka later stood up and went to report the incident to the nearest police station. 

Mr Okeniyi Segun, a police officer attached to Ipetumodu Police Division testified on how the accused was arrested at Moore police Station and was transferred to the Ipetumodu Police Division. 

Counsel to the convict Mr Julie Olorunfemi of legal aid Council pleaded to the court to temper Justice with mercy.

In her judgment, Justice Kudirat Akano said that Prosecution Counsel had proved his case beyond the doubt and hereby found him guilty of the two counts preferred against him.

She sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment on count one attempted murder and sentenced him to death for armed Robbery.

Akinola Adenitan

Crime

Court Sentences Two to Death by Hanging

By Web News 706

An Osun State High Court sitting in Ila-Orangun has sentenced two men to death by hanging for Armed Robbery.

This was the decision of the presiding Judge, Justice Jide Falola, who agreed with the prosecution that the convicts were guilty as charged.

Justice Falola, who maintained that the cases of Armed Robbery and conspiracy had been well established against the accused persons, sentenced them to death on Count One, while they were to remain imprisoned for life for the offence of Conspiracy.

At exactly a year ago, on May 24th, 2019, the convicts, Ayodeji Adeleke and Abiodun Oyedunmola were arraigned on Two Counts Charge of Armed Robbery and Conspiracy contrary to Section 1(1) and 2 (a) and 6(b) and punishable under Section 1(1)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act.

The prosecution counsel from the State Ministry of Justice, Mr Muyiwa Ogunleye had submitted that the accused were serial armed robbers who attacked one Owonifari Muiydeen of oke-ila in his house on the 14th of April 2016.

He further argued that earlier on the 28th of March 2016, the same gang robbed one Pastor Afolabi Clement in Ila Orangun, while on 3rd of April 2016, they also attacked Mr. Bayepade Olubunmi.

Counsel to the convicts Mr Sulaimon Bello pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy on them. 

In order to avoid a congested court room because of the need to maintain social distancing as one of COVID-19 pandemic protocols, the court had moved its Session to the Ilesha Correctional Centre where the accused persons had been remanded.

Adenitan Akinola

Crime

Court Sentences Two to Death in Osun

By Web News 1016

An Osun State High Court sitting in Ikirun has sentenced two men to death by hanging for murder.

Justice Oyejide Falola convicted the accused persons for the murder of a 400 level student of Osun State University, Ipetu-Ijesa Campus, Miss Rofiat Damilola Adebisi in 2016.

The convicts are Elijah Oyebode, (25) and Jelili Raji (aka Ifa) (35) they were arraigned in court 14th November 2017.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Falola maintained that the prosecution team had established beyond a reasonable doubt that the convicts deliberately murdered the late Rofiat.

The convicts had been charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit murder, murder and accessory after the fact of murder which contravenes Sections 324, 316 and punishable under Section 319 and Section 322 of the Criminal Code Cap.3 laws of Osun State, 2002.

Prosecution counsel from Ministry of Justice, Mr Kareem Adekilekun early told the court that “on the 22nd December 2016 Miss Rofiat Damilola Adebisi, a 400 level student of Osun State University, Ipetu-Ijesa Campus boarded a golf car with registration number, Lagos FKJ 636 dl driven by Elijah Oyebode.

However, on the 23rd of December, 2016 the lifeless body of Rofiat Damilola Adebisi was found by the roadside along Egbeda/Iragbiji.

One Yusuf Ajibade was arrested through the deceased phone (iPhone 5) which he sold to Quadri on the instruction of Elijah Oyebode.

Elijah Oyebode in his statement said Jelili Raji, requested him to supply him a maid and gave him the charm to touch any lady he intended to bring for him, with the assurance that such lady would not argue with him.

Elijah confessed that he used the charm to touch the diseased while she attempted to put her luggage in his car boot, where he picked her as a passenger going to Ikirun from Ipetu-Ijesa.

He explained that he handed over Rofiat Adebisi a 400 level student of UNIOSUN to Jelili at his shrine where he paid him the sum of ten thousand naira only.

Adeyeye Simon, a police officer attached to the Homicide Section, State Criminal Investigation Department gave evidence that Elijah Oyebode was a commercial driver that was plying the route of Akure Owena road and that Elijah Oyebode and Yusuf Ajibade took the (deceased) Rofiat Damilola Adebisi to Jelili Raji house’s after Elijah have had sex with the deceased.

He also claimed that the lady died at Jelili Raji house while Elijah Oyebode and dumped the body of the Rofiat Adebisi (deceased) along Egbeda -Iragbiji road. 

Another witness Olatomiwa Alade, an officer with Department of State Security Service said that a data report was obtained from DSS Headquarters Abuja while the deceased phone was traced to Kolapo Quadiri who alleged that he bought the phone from Yusuf Ajibade, who acquired the phone from Elijah Oyebode.

Counsel to the convicts, Suleiman Bello pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

However, Justice Falola acquitted Yusuf Ajibade from two counts charge of murder and conspiracy but convicted him on the third count of receiving stolen property and sentenced him to two years imprisonment.

Adenitan Akinola

Crime

Octogenarian, Son Arraigned Over Land Fraud

By Web News 784

An Octogenarian, Matthew Laogun, and his son, Ayodele Laogun have been arraigned before Osun State High Court for alleged 1 million naira land fraud. 

Matthew Laogun, 81-year-old and Ayodele Laogun, a 53-year-old, both lawyers, were arraigned on three count charges of conspiracy, false pretence, and stealing. 

The prosecutor, a legal officer from the Zone 11 of the Nigeria Police Command, Osogbo, Mr. S O Ayodele said the accused and others at large sometime in the month of October 2010 within Osogbo Judicial Division of Federal High court Conspired to commit felony, obtaining money under false pretense.

These offences he noted were contrary to Sections 8 and punishable under Section 1 of Advance Free Fraud and other related offences Act Cap AA Vol. 1 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2006. 

According to the charge sheet, the defendants “Did by false pretence with intent to defraud, obtained a total sum of N1million from one Dr. Gbadebo Adeyemi under false pretense of being a land agent of one Dr. Charles”.

The defense counsel, S. P Ajibade implored the court to admit the defendants to bail based on self-recognition, more so that they had over two years arraigned at the Federal High Court.

Justice W.O Akanbi granted the bail to the two accused persons in self-recognition and adjourned the case to February 20th, 2020.

Adenitan Akinola