A 25-year-old man, Babuga Lede, has been remanded in the correctional centre by an Ekiti State Magistrate’s Court for his alleged involvement in the killing of two traditional rulers in the state. The victims were identified as the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakin, and the Olumojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Samuel Olusola. The incident occurred during an attack on January 29 along Oke Ako – Irele Road. Fortunately, the Alara of Ara (Ikole), Oba Sunday Fatoba, managed to escape the assailants.
During the arraignment on Tuesday, the police prosecutor, Yomi Osuolale, informed the court of the need to remand the defendant at the Correctional Centre in Ado Ekiti, citing probable cause. Osuolale outlined the charges against Lede, stating that he was reasonably suspected of offenses related to conspiracy to kidnap, attempted murder, and murder of the two traditional rulers. The defendant had also allegedly attempted to kidnap Oba Samuel Adebayo Fatoba and Bamidele Ibikunle Joseph (driver).
According to Osuolale, the offenses are punishable under Sections 280, 241, and 234 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State 2021. The prosecutor mentioned that Lede was apprehended in Ikole Ekiti on January 29 with weapons, and the 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 Director of Public Prosecution. The case was adjourned until April 24 for further hearing.
