Four men were arraigned on Tuesday before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the killing of Hon. Remi Abass, former Chairman of Irewole Local Government Area in Osun State.
The suspects—Abubakar Kabiru (aka Jeje), Tajudeen Opeyemi, Akeem Agbomojo, and Akintoye Olayemi—are all residents of Ikire and Apomu in Osun and appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
They are facing charges of terrorism, illegal possession of firearms, and murder, in connection with the February 17, 2024, assassination of Abass during a period of political unrest in the region.
Representing the prosecution was A. S. Oyeyemi for the Inspector General of Police, while Sunday Adebayo appeared for the defence. Muhydeen Adeoye represented the nominal complainants.
According to the amended charge filed in case number FHC/ABJ/CR/170/2025, the defendants are accused of participating in terrorist activities across Osun State, unlawfully possessing firearms, and murdering the local government chairman. They pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Justice Abdulmalik ordered that they be remanded at the Kuje Custodial Centre and adjourned the matter to December 4, 2025.
The killing of Abass has been linked to political tensions between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over control of local councils in Osun State.
The conflict dates back to the controversial 2022 local government elections conducted by the APC-led administration, which were boycotted and challenged in court by the PDP. After the PDP regained power, Governor Ademola Adeleke dissolved the elected councils and appointed caretaker committees.
In February 2025, the Court of Appeal upheld the legitimacy of the APC’s council elections and ordered the reinstatement of the elected officials. This ruling escalated tensions and led to violent clashes in several areas, including Irewole, where Abass was killed.
The four suspects now on trial were arrested following a police investigation into the violence. An earlier case involving seven other suspects was discontinued after one of them died in custody.
The trial resumes in December.
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