IGP slams murder, unlawful firearms possession charge on Osun political thugs

The Inspector General of Police, IGP, on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja put four Osogbo-based suspected political thugs on trial on two counts of alleged murder and unlawful firearms possession.

The four defendants, namely, Adejare Waliyu, Kilanko Ismaila Damilare, Kehinde Adeola and Muheeb Taoheeb, were arraigned before Justice Binta Fatima Nyako for allegedly shooting one Sheriff to death during a political crisis.

Counsel to the IGP, Mr Adeniyi Oyeyemi, in the charges, accused Adejare Waliyu of unlawful possession of sophisticated prohibited pump action rifle contrary to Section 27 of the Firearms Act.

In count two , the four defendants were accused of killing one Sheriff with the unlawfully possessed pump action rifle contrary to Section 319 of the Criminal Code Act, 2004.

They were said to have committed the alleged crimes between August 26 and November 28, 2022, in Osun State.

However, when the charge was read to them, the four accused persons pleaded not guilty.

Although the IGP lawyer requested for a date to commence trial of the defendants, counsel to the accused persons, Mr Okon Ita, moved an application in which he pleaded with the judge to transfer the trial of his clients to Osogbo, where the alleged murder was committed.

Among others, the lawyer argued that the alleged offences were committed in Osogbo and that all witnesses listed to testify for the prosecution are all resident in the Osun State capital.

He admitted that the Federal High Court is one in any part of Nigeria but submitted that for administrative sake and in the interest of justice for the defendants, it would be safer for the trial to hold where the alleged crimes were committed.

The IGP raised objections against the request but Justice Binta Nyako saw merit in the argument of the accused persons and granted same.

The judge ordered that the case be transferred to the Osogbo Division of the Federal High Court for administrative convenience and being the place where the alleged murder was carried out.

Pending the transfer of the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/655/2022, Justice Nyako ordered that the accused persons should remain in the custody of the Force Headquarters in Abuja.