An Ondo State Magistrates Court, sitting in Akure, the state capital, has ordered the remand of a commercial motorcycle, Blessing Akinmade, for allegedly killing a 71-year-old farmer, Toyo Olanipekun.
The defendant was arrested by the men of the state police command, for killing the septuagenarian and allegedly burying the deceased’s corpse inside a shallow grave on June 6, 2024, at Igbobini, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state, during a dispute between Igbobini and Irele Communities over a piece of land.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Akinmade was charged to court on two counts bordering on conspiracy and murder.
The police prosecutor, Abdulateef Sulaiman, told the court that the defendant and others at large committed the offence on June 24, 2024, at about 9 am at Igbobini.
According to the prosecutor, the defendant unlawfully killed a 71-year-old man, Toyo Olanipekun, and buried him in a shallow grave, the offence, contravened Sections 324, 316, 319 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 7, Volume 1 Laws of Ondo State, 2026.
The plea of the defendant was, however, not taken by the court.
Sulaiman prayed the court to remand the defendant at the correctional centre pending the issuance of advice from the office of the state Director of Public Prosecutions.
The defence counsel, H. Orisatimehin, prayed for the adjournment of the case to enable his client to react to the application sought by the prosecution.
The Magistrate, Temilola Olusola-Olujobi, adjourned the case till July 8, 24, for the parties to move their applications and ordered the defendant to be remanded at any police station pending the adjournment date.