An Ekiti State Magistrate’s Court has remanded a 25-year-old man, Babuga Lede, in the correctional center for his alleged involvement in the killing of two traditional rulers in Ekiti State. The traditional rulers, the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Ogunsakin, and the Olumojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Samuel Olusola, were waylaid and killed by gunmen while traveling along Oke Ako-Irele Road on January 29. Their third colleague, the Alara of Ara (Ikole), Oba Sunday Fatoba, who was traveling with them, managed to escape the attack.
The police prosecutor, Yomi Osuolale, while arraigning the suspect on Tuesday, stated that there is probable cause to order the remand of the defendant at the Correctional Center in Ado Ekiti. Osuolale said, “The defendant is reasonably suspected to have committed an offense of conspiracy to kidnap, attempt to murder, and murder of Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakin and Oba Samuel Olatunde Ishola. The defendant also attempted to kidnap Oba Samuel Adebayo Fatoba and Bamidele Ibikunle Joseph (driver). The offense is punishable under sections 280, 241, and 234 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State 2021, within Ekiti Magisterial District on the 29th day of January 2024.”
The police prosecutor informed the court that the defendant was arrested in Ikole Ekiti on January 29 with weapons. He also stated that the duplicate case file had been forwarded to the Ekiti State Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice.
The magistrate, Olubunmi Bamidele, ordered the remand of the defendant at the Ado Ekiti Correctional Custody pending legal advice from the DPP. The case has been adjourned till April 24 for hearing.
