Ruler, son remanded in prison over alleged murder

Justic Lateef Lawal-Akapo of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has remanded the traditional ruler of Temidire community in Agbado Oke-Odo, Alhaji Nojeem Abioye, and his son, Wahab Abioye, over alleged killing of one Alhaji Rasaki Olaniyan Olatunji, popularly known as Tunji Alaso‎.

The duo were arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit a felony, contrary to Section 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011, and murder, contrary to Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011. They pleaded not guilty to the charge brought against them by the state.

The presiding judge ordered that the defendants be remanded in Kirikiri Medium Prison and thereafter adjourned till June 23, 2016 for argument on bail applications.

The deceased, a hotelier with an alleged reputation for homosexuality, was reportedly murdered during a riot on July 20, 2015 in Oko area of Alagbado, Lagos State.

Police investigation had revealed that sometime in July 20, 2015, the community leader, Alhaji Nojimu Abioye, and residents of the area organised a protest. While the protest was on, the deceased arrived at the venue in his vehicle.

‘’Immediately the deceased’s vehicle was sighted, some thugs led by the Baale and others attacked him and broke the glass of his SUV. After escaping the attack, the deceased left the scene and reported the incident at the Alagbado Police Station.

“Thereafter, the deceased and some police officers went back to the scene where he was attacked again. It was the Baale who held him on the neck, Taofeek Olori and Idowu Terror now at large held his hands, while the Baale’s son, Wahab Abioye, hit the deceased with a shovel on his head and Taofeek Olori stabbed the deceased severally on his body.”

However, after the proceedings, an elder sister to the deceased, Madam Ganiyat Olapeju Popola, told newsmen that the deceased’s wife, whose name was given as Idowu, gave birth to a baby boy yesterday morning, contrary to rumours that he had no wife.

According to Abioye, Olatunji was murdered during a protest by landlords and residents in the community over allegations of land grabbing. It was gathered that the protest was peaceful until Tunji arrived the venue and began to record events on video. The protesters rushed towards him and he ordered his driver to speed off, hitting one Mr. Raheem, alias Denge.

“The community organised the protest because of the activities of Tunji Alaso. The purpose of the protest was to create awareness in the area and to tell the world that Tunji has been threatening the peace of the community with his thugs as he was selling off people’s land, which were vacant and even those that are under construction. It was a peaceful protest until Tunji came and disrupted the protest with his thugs.”