Tragic news emerged as a 63-year-old land agent, who had been held at the Oke Kura Correctional Facility in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, for a duration exceeding four months, reportedly breathed his last on Friday morning.
The deceased individual, identified as Alhaji Taye Hussein Abubakar, was embroiled in land transactions that led to legal disputes.
A relative of the late land agent, in conversation with journalists, leveled accusations against the judiciary and the correctional facility authorities, alleging negligence.
“He was entangled in land transactions which resulted in legal battles. Despite being granted bail by the court, he missed his court appearance due to illness and was taken into custody around four to five months ago. Sadly, he was never brought to court and was left abandoned.
“He should have been afforded a chance to address his obligations in the land dealings. How could he fulfill his commitments if he remained incarcerated? We pleaded with the judge for his release on bail with suitable guarantors, but our pleas fell on deaf ears.
“On Friday, reports emerged that he was rushed to the hospital. Conflicting accounts suggest he passed away either en route or during treatment. Prior to his demise, his health had deteriorated, and this was brought to the attention of the judge,” shared the relative.
In response, the spokesperson for the state’s correctional facility, Phillip Adegbulugbe, acknowledged the passing of the land agent, attributing it to an illness linked to kidney complications.
“He was transferred to Ilorin General hospital, where he eventually passed away. I personally reviewed his medical records outlining his condition. His hospitalization commenced on Thursday evening, and sadly, he succumbed around 8:00 am today, Friday. Contrary to speculations, he did not breathe his last within the facility. I had just returned from the hospital,” he clarified.