Justice Ibrahim Yusuf of the Kwara State High Court has ordered the remand of seven suspects linked to the murder of Mojisola Awesu, a student from the Kwara State College of Health Technology, Offa, at a correctional facility.
This decision followed the absence of legal counsel for three hotel workers Adeoye Adeola, Lawal Aminat, and Peter Bulus who are the 5th, 6th, and 7th defendants in the case.
The seven individuals were previously arraigned in court for allegedly murdering Awesu, a final-year student, in Offa Local Government Area.
Among the accused are Happiness Adebayo and Timileyin Kolawole, the primary suspects, as well as Adebayo Adeniyi and Bukola Adeniyi, the parents of Happiness, along with hotel workers Adeoye Adeola, Lawal Aminat, and Peter Bulus.
The charges against the defendants include six counts related to conspiracy, murder, tampering with evidence, and the disposal of the victim’s body.
The prosecution alleges that the accused conspired to kill Awesu on August 9, 2024. These offences contravene Sections 97, 221, and 167 of the Penal Code (CAP P4, Laws of Kwara State, 2006) as well as Section 9 of the Kwara State Prohibition of Dealing in Human Parts Law 2018.
When the case was first heard on February 3, the Kwara State Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Ayoola Akande, appeared with five other lawyers for the prosecution, while Fatai Ahmed represented the parents of the second and third defendants, and A.I. Orisankoko represented the hotel workers.
The court ordered the remand of the two prime suspects, Adebayo Happiness and Timileyin Kolawole, due to the absence of legal representation.
Upon the next hearing on Monday, Mr. Lawal Chinwo appeared for Happiness, while H.R. Sulu-Gambari appeared for Timileyin. However, the counsel for the hotel workers (5th, 6th, and 7th defendants) failed to attend, prompting the judge to order the remand of all seven defendants at a correctional facility until the next adjournment.
Justice Yusuf expressed dissatisfaction, saying, “When this case came up on February 3, some defendants came without counsel, and I granted them a grace period. Today, some defendants again appeared without legal representation. I am giving you one more opportunity, but by the next adjournment, this will no longer be tolerated. This is a criminal case involving the murder of a human being, and I will not allow further delays. All defendants must come to court with their counsel at the next hearing.”
The judge ordered that all defendants be remanded at the federal correctional facility in Ilorin until the next hearing, scheduled for March 4, 2025.
