NINE persons standing trial for alleged murder were on Tuesday remanded in prison by an Ilorin Magistrates’ Court.

The Magistrate, Mr Olusegun Balogun, ordered the remand of the accused pending conclusion of investigation in the case.

The accused, Mohammed Oni, Christopher Adeoti, Omotayo Abidogun, Sunday Adeyemi, Ganiyu Farahim, Dauda Ibrahim, Oladele Oyedeji, Tunde Abolaji and AbdulRasak Oyeniyi, are facing two-count charge of conspiracy and culpable homicide.

The accused, all resident in Oro-Ago in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara, were alleged to have murdered one Umaru Mohammed, at Omu-Aran, Kwara, on June 1, 2015.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Zacceus Funsho, told the court that the accused conspired to kill the deceased and burnt his corpse to ashes.
Funsho said that the deceased was a witness in a case of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide and mischief preferred against the nine suspects on April 13, 2015.

According to him, the deceased had identified the accused persons as members of vigilante group that ordered the April 13 attack and killing of several Fulani men during a settlement meeting at the Oro-Ago market square.

He said that the accused, who were later granted police administrative bail pending the completion of investigation into allegations against them, allegedly killed the deceased to derail police investigation.

Funsho said that the offences committed by the nine men contravened Sections 97 and 221 of the Penal Code.

He urged the court to remand the accused in prison custody pending the completion of the investigation.

No plea was admitted by the court for the accused.

The magistrate ordered that the accused should be remanded at the Mandala Prison, Ilorin, and adjourned the case to July 27.