From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Kwara State High Court in Ilorin, presided over by Justice Umar Zikir, has scheduled the arraignment of fourteen individuals accused of the murder of Oba Aremu Olusegun Cole, the Onikoro of Koro town in Ekiti Local Government Area.
The arraignment is set for July 30.
The accused are also charged with kidnapping the late monarch’s wife, Olori Iyabo Aremu Cole, and two others during the attack.
The suspects, including Godwin Jacob, Olofela Oyebanji, Adefolalu Ayodele, Tewasie Francis, Babatunde Samuel, Godwin Joseph, Issa Mumee, Miracle Solomon, Abraham Kehinde, Muhammed Bello, Muhammed Muhammed, Ahmadu Umaru, Muhammed Dankai, and Saliu Murtala, face three charges: conspiracy, kidnapping, and culpable homicide punishable by death under Section 221. Other suspects remain at large.
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According to the charges signed by the Kwara State Director of Public Prosecution, Muhammed Akande, the suspects are accused of causing the death of Oba Cole and kidnapping Olori Iyabo Aremu. The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N100 million but later accepted N12 million.
Akande informed the court that due to the capital nature of the offences, the accused must have legal representation.
He noted that the Office of the Public Defender would provide legal services to those in need.
Justice Umar Zikir, ruled to maintain the bail previously granted to two of the accused and ordered the remand of the remaining suspects at the correctional centre until the adjourned date.
