Seven accused persons charged with the alleged murder of a final year female student of the Kwara State College of Health Technology, Offa, Miss Mojisola Awesu, have all pleaded not guilty to the charges before Justice Ibrahim Yusuf of the state High Court, Ilorin, on Tuesday.
The prosecution had slammed the seven accused persons with six counts bordering on alleged conspiracy, murder, disappearance and destruction of evidence and dumping of the corpse at a dump.
Those charged included Happiness Adebayo and Timileyin Kolawole who were the prime suspects accused of conspiring and causing the death of Mojisola on August 9, 2024.
Happiness’ parents: Adebayo Adeniyi and Bukola Adeniyi, were accused of conspiring and causing the disappearance and destruction of evidence punishable under the Penal Code Law of Kwara State, 2006.
According to reports, the trio hotel workers, Adeoye Adeola, Lawal Aminat and Peter Bulus, were accused of conspiring and dumping the corpse of Mojisola at a dump along Warah road, Ilorin, punishable under the Kwara state Prohibition of Dealing in Human Parts Law, 2018.
They were accused of conspiring and causing the death of Awesu Mojisola on August 9, 2024.
The offences, according to the prosecution, were contrary to and punishable under Sections 97,221,167 of the Penal Code, CAP. P4, Laws of Kwara State, 2006 and Section 9 of the Kwara State Prohibition of Dealing in Human Parts Law 2018.
When the case came up in the court on Tuesday, the Kwara State Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Ayoola Akande, said he was ready to go ahead with the trial after the defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
However, the defence counsel argued that they were not prepared for a hearing because the matter was adjourned for arraignment and not for a hearing at the last adjourned date.
Justice Yusuf who was the trial judge then ordered that all the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility at the last court session due to the absence of one of the counsel in the matter.
He said, “This is a criminal case which involved life. The trial should be expeditious, there should be no waste of time.”
He then adjourned the case till March 12, 2025, for a hearing.
Advertisement