The arraignment of the Olukere of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin, for alleged murder before a new Magistrate’s Court was stalled on Monday.

The monarch and five others had earlier been remanded in prison custody on December 27 by Chief Magistrate Adesoji Adegboye.

The other accused persons were, however, present in court.

Others charged alongside the Olukere on a remand order filed by the Commissioner of Police are Ajewole Sunday, Adetowoju Bode, Kayode Michael, Olowolafe Tola and Aluko Taiwo.

A prison officer, Mr. O. Osamuyiwa, told the court that the Olukere was “seriously sick” and on admission at the prison clinic.

He told the court that Obasoyin was to be referred to Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, for further medical attention.

The Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Gbemiga Adaramola, told the court that the state was taking over the prosecution of the case from the police.

He sought an adjournment to render the necessary legal advice.

Counsel to the accused persons, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, opposed the reading of the charge in the absence of the Olukere.

Before adjourning the case till January 19, the presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Dupe Afeniforo, ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody.

Olukere and others were charged in connection with violence which erupted shortly after he inaugurated his hotel located in Gbemisola area of the town on December 22.

It was learnt that some thugs attacked the hotel on December 25 because the monarch said Ikere had yet to have a candidate for the 2018 governorship election.

Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola, a native of the town, had been anointed as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Obasoyin’s loyalists allegedly launched a reprisal on those identified as the perpetrators, leading to the death of one Kolade Adefemi.

According to the remand order form marked MAD/181fk/17, the accused persons were charged with conspiracy, attempted murder of Ayodele Osanyinbola and murder of Kolade Adefemi.

The offences are punishable under Section (1) and 319 (1) of Criminal Code Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State 2012 within Ado-Ekiti Magisterial District on or about the 25th December, 2017.

‎A human rights lawyer and Ikere native, Morakinyo Ogele, expressed dismay that the matter had been “politicised.”

Ogele faulted the DPP’s bid to take over the case, saying, “His advice is going to be affected by bias.”

He said, “There is no way the accused will get a reasonable legal advice from the Ministry of Justice; I wonder whether the Ministry of Justice has become a robot in the hands of the state government.”

Cc: lalasticlala

http://punchng.com/alleged-murder-ekiti-monarch-admitted-at-prisons-clinic-absent-in-court/