Ondo Amotekun arraigns 5 over alleged murder, kidnapping, robbery
By Ayodele Popoola
The Ondo State Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun corps, has arraigned five suspects arrested for alleged murder, kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms, and cultism, among other criminal offences in the state.
Specifically, one Joshua Ogunfuyi was arraigned for alleged rape and being part of the gang responsible for the death of a man, identified as Sunday Okunoye, popularly called “Soldier Boy”, during a naming ceremony in Igbokoda.
Four other defendants; Usman Bodo Abubakar, Manase David, Jonathan David, and Omole Omoniyi, were also brought before the court for various criminal offences of conspiracy, kidnapping, burglary, stealing, and robbery.
They were arraigned before Magistrate Damilola Sekoni, on different cases bordering on murder, cultism, rape, illegal possession of firearms, armed robbery, and rape.
In the murder case, the state prosecutor, D.S. Msonter-Shagba told the court that on April 23, 2024, at about 2:00 pm, in the Okoga area of Igbokoda, Ogunfuyi caused the death of one person known as Soldier Boy and attempted to kill one Lewis Tomomewo, by attacking him with an axe, cutlass, and another dangerous weapon.
The defendant and his accomplices at large were alleged to have attempted to kill one Ayenitaju Orogbemi, by cutting off five of his fingers and breaking his head.
The prosecutor further alleged that Ogunfuyi, who was a member of a prohibited secret cult, while armed with a gun, broke into part of the house of the complainant, Orogbemi, and chased his family members out of the house, on April 7.
He further alleged that on April 30, at Agbala Premier Kofawe at Igbokoda, the defendant also attempted to kidnap one Amuwa Orogbemi.
He noted that the offences contravene Sections 516, 320, 319, 357 of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State, 2006, Section 27(1) (a) (1) of the Firearms Act, Cap. F28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The Prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendant to a correctional facility, pending the issuance of advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Magistrate Sekoni adjourned the case till November 4 for reply and ruling on the application.
Similarly, a middle-aged herder, Usman Abububar was arraigned on two counts of conspiracy and kidnapping.
Abubakar was accused of kidnapping a farmer, Olupota Ogunmola on his farm in Igbo, Oba-Akoko in Ondo State.
The plea of the defendant was not taken.
Magistrate Sekoni ordered the defendant’s remand at the Olokuta Correctional Centre and adjourned the case till November 4, for hearing of the application.
Also, a security man, Jonathan David and one Menase David, were arraigned for conspiracy and robbery.
The duo were charged with eight counts of conspiracy and theft.
According to the prosecutor, the defendants on September 30, at about 8 pm, No 3 Alagunmodu Street, Off Ikare Road in Owo, conspired to break into the residence of one Okeyemi Ajibade and stole his property.
Magistrate Damilola Sekoni granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties each in like sum.
The case was adjourned till November 4, for trial.