By Ayodele Popoola

The Ondo State Police Command on Tuesday arraigned eight men before an Akure Magistrate Court, for allegedly killing one Paul Akinbohun, over land dispute and causing a breach of peace.

The defendants; Ajumobi Kolawole, 48;  Yusuf Aliu, 22; Adegbemiro Adeniyiju, 63; Ambrose Olajide, 32; Patrick Ayodeji, 50 and Benard Nworie, 73, were charged with conspiracy, murder, attempt to murder, malicious damage, while Abiodun Adelegan, 63, and a 38-year-old woman, Omowumi Adepetu, were charged with breach of public peace.

The police prosecutor, Simon Wada told the court that the defendants committed the offences on October 14, at about 10:am at Osun Community via Bolorunduro in the Ondo State Magisterial District.

Wada explained that Ajumobi and the other five defendants conspired to kill one 59-year-old man, Paul Akinbohun, by beating him with sticks and fists blow on his forehead and body.

The prosecutor also alleged that the defendants attempted to kill the relatives of the deceased, Clement Akinbohun, Olamide Thompson, and Ojo Akinbohun, by beating them with sticks and inflicting various injuries on their heads, hands, and backs.

In addition, the defendants were also alleged to have willfully destroyed the following items: two Highlander jeep tyres with side mirrors and one headlight, total valued at N200,000, belonging to one Adenusi Adeleye.

Wada informed the court that the duo, Awolegan, and Adeputu conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace in the said community and also assembled to watch the beating of Akinbohun to death.

The offences, according to the prosecution, contravened Sections 324,319, 320, 451 and 81 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

The prosecutor urged the court, through a 15-paragraph application to remand the defendants in the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, (DPP).

The defence counsel, Yinka Muyiwa, prayed the court to refuse the remand application, but use its discretion in granting temporary liberty to the defendants.

Magistrate Damilola Sekoni ordered the remand of the defendants in police custody and adjourned the case till November 16, 2023, for ruling.