Suspected killers of Afenifere leader’s daughter, Funke Olakunrin, arraigned in court (photo)

The suspected killers of Mrs Funke Olakunrin, daughter of the leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, were today April 24, arraigned in court by the Ondo state government and the state police command. 

Olakunrin was attacked and killed by gunmen on July 12, 2019 between Kajola and Ore along Ondo-Ore Road in Ondo State.

The four suspects namely Lawal Mazaje from the Felele area of Kogi State, Adamu Adamu from Jada area of Adamawa State, Mohammed Usman from Illela area of Sokoto State, and Auwal Abubakar from Shinkafi area of Zamfara State, were arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, the state capital by the state police command and the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adekola Olawoye.

Part of the charges against them reads 

“That Mohammed Shehu Is an, Mazaje Lawal, Adamu Adamu, and Awalu Abubakar and others now at large on or before the 12th day of July 2019 at about 0900hrs at Tollgate along Ore/ljebu Ode Expressway, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire together to commit felony to wit: Murder and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 Of Criminal Code, Cap 37; Vol. I, Laws of Ondo State 2006.

That Mohammed Shehu Is an, Mazaje Lawal, Adamu Adamu, and Awalu Abubakar and others now at large on or before the 12th day of July 2019 at about 0900hrs st Tollgate along Ore/Ijebu Ode Expressway, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did murder one Olufunke Olakunrin (Nee Fasoranti) ‘f’ aged 58-year contrary to and punishable under Section 316 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

That Mohammed Shehu Is an, Mazaje Lawal, Adamu Adamu, and Awalu Abubakar and others now at large on or before the 12‘“ day of July 2019 at about 0900hrs at Tollgate along Ore/ljebu Ode Expressway, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did murder one Ogunbiyi Matthew ‘m’ aged 65-year contrary to and punishable under Section 316 of the Criminal code, Cap36, Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

That you Mohammed Shehu, Mazaje Lawal, Adamu Adamu, and Awalu Abubakar and others now at large on or before the 12th day of July 2019 at Honorable Court did kidnap one Gerald Igboayaka and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 3(ii) (b) of the Ondo State Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Law, 2010.”

The four suspects who had no representation in court pleaded not guilty to all the charges pressed against them.

The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kola Olawoye, who represented the state in court, announced the readiness of the state to take over the case.He prayed the court to remand the four defendants in the Correctional facility in Owo, as the correctional facility in Akure, the state capital has been overstretched. He also prayed the court to allow the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to conduct COVID-19 test on the defendants before moving them to Owo correctional center.

The presiding Magistrate, Victoria Bob-Manuel, ordered the suspects to be remanded at Owo correctional centre after their samples must have been taken for testing by NCDC.

She however disclosed that the court lacks the jurisdiction and power to try the defendants and adjourned to June 3rd for the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution.