A civil society group concerned with human rights and youth development, the Conscientious Youths and Empowerment Foundation (CYEF) have charged the Kwara state government to conduct further investigation into reported kidnapping and killing in the Koro community, Ekiti local government area of the state on February 1, 2024.
Following the killing of the Olukoro of Koro, Oba Segun Aremu, thirteen (13) persons were arrested and had charges preferred against them.
In a statement signed by the CYEF coordinator, Comrade George Oyeyiola, in Ilorin on Tuesday, the civil society organization said there was a need for the state government to conduct further investigation into the matter and ensure that those wrongly accused are left off the hook and duly compensated.
It asked the state government to look into reports of torture, unlawful detention, extraction of statements under duress and other alleged violations of human rights.
CYEF said the call became essential because of complaints by some human rights activists as well as published articles online, detailing the manner of arrest and detention of some people linked with the criminal act.
This, he said will ensure that innocent citizens do not suffer as victims of a miscarriage of justice.
The statement read, “CYEF has been following the case of one Chief Oyebanji Olowofela, and 12 others alleged to have taken part in kidnapping and killings in the southern axis of Kwara and part of Ekiti State.
“While we appreciate our security agencies for beefing up security in these crime-prone areas, we are also glad that this has resulted in the arrest of some suspects who should be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“We are, however, concerned about the arrest and planned prosecution of a traditional chief from Ekiti, Chief Oyebanji Olowofela, whose domestic staff was said to have identified as a leader of a kidnap syndicate.
“The same domestic staff, Godwin Jacob, had since recanted, exonerating the traditional chief, confessing that he was forced to make the false claim by the military men who tortured and threatened to kill him.
“The 80-year-old man was also reported to have been tortured after his arrest and is still receiving treatment in the hospital after this triggered underlying ailments.
“While we urged our security operatives to continue the good work of enhancing the security architecture of the state, we implore them to do so with decorum and respect for human rights.
“We also implore Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, to order the Ministry of Justice under the Attorney General of the state, to conduct a thorough investigation into this case, so as to ensure that justice is done and innocent citizens are exonerated.
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“We do hope that the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Kwara State, Barr. Senior Ibrahim Sulyman, will live up to the billing by doing the needful”.
Olowofela and 12 others are facing charges of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and kidnapping at the Magistrate Court, Ilorin.
Other defendants are Salihu Muritala, Godwin Jacob, Olowofela Oyebanji, Adefalolu Ayodele, Tewasie Francis, Babatunde Samuel, Godwin Joseph, Issa Mumee, Miracle Solomon, Abraham Kehinde, Muhammed Bello, Muhammed Muhammed, Ahmadu Umaru and Muhammed Dankai.
They were arrested and had charges preferred against them sequel to the killing of the Olukoro of Koro, Ekiti local government, Kwara state, Oba Segun Aremu on February 1, 2024.
At the last appearance on Wednesday, May 08, 2024, the prosecutor, Mr Abdulahi Sanni, had urged the court to adjourn the case for further mention as he was “still awaiting legal advice from the Department of Public Prosecution, DPP”.
Sanni absolved the DPP from blame for the delay explaining that the officials have loads of work to do.
Magistrate G.M. Kamson asked the DPP to expedite action with respect to the provision of ‘legal advice’ considering the seriousness of the case and in the interest of the defendants still in detention.
She later adjourned the case until June 3, 2024, for further mention.
