The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun on Monday arraigned four suspected political thugs from Osogbo at the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of murder and unlawful possession of firearms.
The defendants Adejare Waliyu, Kilanko Ismaila Damilare, Kehinde Adeola, and Muheeb Taoheeb appeared before Justice Binta Fatima Nyako, accused of fatally shooting one Sheriff during a political dispute.
Representing the IGP, counsel Mr. Adeniyi Oyeyemi alleged that Adejare Waliyu unlawfully possessed a sophisticated pump-action rifle, in violation of Section 27 of the Firearms Act.
In the second count, the four defendants were charged with the murder of one Sheriff using the allegedly unlawfully possessed pump-action rifle, in violation of Section 319 of the Criminal Code Act, 2004.
The offences were said to have occurred between August 26 and November 28, 2022, in Osun State. When the charges were read, all four accused pleaded not guilty.
While the IGP’s lawyer requested a trial date, the defendants’ counsel, Mr. Okon Ita, filed an application urging the court to transfer the trial to Osogbo, where the alleged murder took place. He argued that the offences occurred in Osogbo and that all prosecution witnesses reside in the Osun State capital.
He admitted that the Federal High Court is one in any part of Nigeria but submitted that for administrative sake and in the interest of justice for the defendants, it would be safer for the trial to hold where the alleged crimes were committed.
The IGP raised objections against the request but Justice Binta Nyako saw merit in the argument of the accused persons and granted same.
The judge ordered that the case be transferred to the Osogbo Division of the Federal High Court for administrative convenience and being the place where the alleged murder was carried out.
Pending the transfer of the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/655/2022, Justice Nyako ordered that the accused persons should remain in the custody of the Force Headquarters in Abuja.