The Ondo State Police Command has charged five people in the killing of a man, Temitope Olorunfemi, before the state Chief Magistrates’ Court in Akure, the state capital.
On Easter Monday, Olorunfemi was lynched in Akure’s Ijoka Area after his Toyota Camry automobile killed one person and injured many others.
The car was also set ablaze by persons who claimed to have discovered fetish goods inside the vehicle, fueling speculation that he was an Internet fraudster known as ‘Yahoo boy.’
Five people were later arrested in connection with the incident by men from the state police command.
The defendants in the case as Victor Amos, 30, Ismaila, 32, Pelumi Farotimi, 42; Nurudeen Kumuyi, 22 and Samuel Olatunji, 23.
They were arraigned on three counts of felony, unlawful murder, and arson.
According to the prosecution, the defendants and others at large committed the offense on April 10, 2023, around 9 am opposite Odopo Town Hall, along Ijoka Road, Akure.
The prosecutor, Inspector Nelson Akintimehin, informed the court that the accused conspired to commit a felony and unlawful murder of the deceased.
He said alleged the deceased was murdered in cold blood with sticks, stones, and other weapons.
He also told the court that the defendants as well, maliciously damaged one Toyota Camry car with number plate KRD 627 GY, by setting it ablaze.
According to the charge, the offenses contravene Sections 324, 316(1), and 451(6)(J) of the Criminals Code, Cap 37 Vol. 2 Laws of Ondo State.
The prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendant at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending the issuance of advice from the office of the state Director of Public prosecution.
However, the defense counsel, O. Agbede, sought an adjournment to enable each defendant to file counter affidavits to the application sought by the prosecutor.
In his ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Musa Al-Yunus, granted the requests of the defense lawyers and ordered that the defendants should still be remanded in police custody.
He adjourned the case till April 27, 2023, for the response to the affidavit and ruling.
