By Ayodele Popoola
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The trial of five suspects in the case of the lynched 25-year-old driver, Temitope Olorunfemi,, adjourned till yesterday, Thursday, was stalled by the prosecutor’s absence.
The suspects, Victor Amos, 30; Boboye Ismalia, 32; Pelumi Farotimi, 42; Nurudeen Kumuyi, 22; and Samuel Olatunji, 23, were earlier arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Akure.
They were brought to court by the police on three counts of felony, unlawful murder, and arson in charge number MAK/136c/2023.
Chief Magistrate Musa Al-Yunus, had on Tuesday adjourned the case when tbe suspects were arraigned, following an application brought by the defence counsels to file Counter Affidavits to the remand application sought by the prosecution.
When the case was mentioned on Thursday, The Hope Metro gathered that the prosecutor, Inspector Nelson Akintimehin, was not in court.
Akintimehin was said to be away for an “emergency training” outside the jurisdiction.
Al-Yunus said Akintimehin informed the court through a letter that he would be unavoidably absent in court for proceedings and other court engagements.
The defence counsels who had filed their responses to the remand application sought by the prosecution were all present in court.
Consequently, the Chief Magistrate adjourned the case till today, Friday, April 28, while he ordered that the suspects should remain in police custody.
Recall the prosecution had accused the five suspects and others at large of committing the offence on April 10, 2023, at about 9:00am., opposite Odopo Town Hall, along Ijoka Road, Akure.
Akintimehin informed the court that the accused conspired to commit a felony and unlawful murder of the deceased, Mr. Olorunfemi, suspected as an internet fraudster.
He said the five suspects murdered the deceased in cold blood and maliciously damaged a Toyota Camry car with number plate KRD 627 GY, by setting it ablaze.
According to the charge, the offences contravene Sections 324, 316(1), and 451(6)(J) of the Criminals Code, Cap 37 Vol. 2 Laws of Ondo
The court, however, did not take the pleas of the accused before adjourning the case.
