On Wednesday, the family of the late Ayodele Bosede urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to reexamine the circumstances surrounding the victim's alleged murder in Owo, Ondo State, at the hands of a suspected cultist.
In the historic town in 2022, Bosede is said to have been murdered by the cultist known as Imole. The alleged murderer was reportedly apprehended by the authorities and immediately charged to court.
Imole was charged with three counts of murder before the state Chief Magistrate Court.
The charge sheet read, “That you Sulaiman Ayuba Imole ‘m’ and others at large on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did parade yourself to be Eiye Secret Cult member and thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 1(1) of the Cultism, Secret Cult and similar activities (Prohibited) Act Cap. 39 Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo of Nigeria 2006.
“That you Sulaiman Ayah Imole ‘m’ and others at large between 25/5/2022 and 24/2/2023 at about 1500hrs at Owo within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did conspire together to commit felony to wit: Murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and cultism and thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable Section 6 (a) & (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap. R11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Sulaiman Ayuba Imole ‘m’ and others at large on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District, while armed with guns, cutlasses did kill a driver named one Abubakar Zakari ‘m’ and one Nigeria Army CPL Saidu Baba and thereby committed an offence, contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.”
The case was adjourned until the Department of Public Prosecution of the state Ministry of Justice could present its legal opinion to the court after Chief Magistrate A.O. Adedapo rejected the accused's plea and ordered the defendant to be kept in custody.
However, the family revealed that the DPP in its report filed a no case to answer to all of the allegations presented against the defendant, who was just released by the court.
Following the development, the family voiced concern that the suspect would return to assault its members now that he was free.
Iyabo, the deceased's widow, claimed the DPP's release of the suspected cultist had caused panic among family members and acquaintances who feared retaliation from the freed suspect.
Iyabo said, “Since the suspect has been released by the government, he has been threatening to deal with those behind his detention. That is why we are calling on the Inspector General of Police to rearrest the suspect to answer to the charges of killing the breadwinner of the family.”
She went on to say that the deceased's children and dependents have been suffering as a result of his death, identifying the late spouse as the family's breadwinner.
