An Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti has acquitted four persons over alleged complicity in the murder of police Corporals Tunde Oyedeji and Ayilumo Ojo as well as attempted murder on the Arajaka of Igbara- Odo, Oba Edward Jayeola.
Those discharged and acquitted by Justice Lekan Ogunmoye in his verdict, on Monday are Faluru Ebenezer, 27, Oghenekevwe Onome, 28, Alufoge Sanya, 31, and Dada Folorunso, 42.
The defendants were arraigned before Justice Ogunmoye on the 28th of September 2021 on a nine-count charge, bordering on conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, assault occasioning harm, riot, unlawful possession of firearms and unlawful destruction.
Delivering his judgment, Justice Ogunmoye said: “After reviewing the evidence before me, there was no believable evidence before the court that the defendants met before, during and after the incident.
“That they agreed to commit the offence of murder, knew each other, knew anything about the riot, which resulted in the death of Corporals Oyedeji Tunde and Ayilumo Ojo, or they at any time agreed or planned to kill human beings as alleged by the prosecutor.
“In all, the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt against the defendants in any of the counts, thus, implying that the sole issue for determination must be resolved in their favour.
“The defendants are hereby discharged and acquitted”, he said.
As contained in the charge sheet, the defendants were slammed individually and jointly to have conspired between 14th-16th of April, 2017 at Igbara Odo Ekiti in Ekiti South West Local Government Area of Ekiti State, to murder Police Corporals Oyedeji Tunde and Ayilumo Ojo.
They were also charged with attempted murder of Oba Edward Jayeola, the Arajaka of Igbara-Odo Ekiti and assaultted one Sergeant Sulyman Kehinde, by conducting themselves in a riotous manner.
Allegedly found in their possession were AK47 Riffle and did destroy a Toyota Jeep, Toyota Camry and Palace of Oba Edward Jaiyeola.
The offences, according to Prosecutor, contravened Sections 516, 319, 320, 355, 71 and 451 of the Criminal Code Cap. C16, Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria, 2012 and Section 3 of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
To prove his case, the prosecutor, Barrister Dolapo Oyewole, called three witnesses and tendered cutlass, AK47 Riffle, pictures of the destroyed properties, photographs of a deceased person, empty magazine among others as exhibits.
The defendants were defended by the counsels, Christopher Omokhafe and Adefolaju Ayobioloja, and denied knowing anything about the allegations leveled against them, while also calling nine witnesses during the trial.
