Seven suspects arraigned over the alleged murder of a final-year student of the Kwara State College of Health Technology, Offa, Mojisola Awesu, have pleaded not guilty before Justice Ibrahim Yusuf of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin on Tuesday.
The accused, including prime suspects Happiness Adebayo and Timileyin Kolawole, were slammed with a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, destruction of evidence, and dumping of the victim’s corpse.
Adebayo’s parents, Adebayo Adeniyi and Bukola Adeniyi were accused of aiding in the disappearance and destruction of evidence, offences punishable under the Penal Code Law of Kwara State, 2006.
Three hotel workers, Adeoye Adeola, Lawal Aminat, and Peter Bulus, were charged with conspiring to dump Awesu’s body at a dumpsite along Warah Road, Ilorin—an act that contravenes the Kwara State Prohibition of Dealing in Human Parts Law, 2018.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Kwara State Director of Public Prosecution, Ayoola Akande, stated the prosecution was ready to proceed with trial following the defendants’ not-guilty plea.
However, defence counsel argued they were unprepared for the hearing, as the previous adjournment was for arraignment.
Justice Yusuf, who had earlier ordered the remand of all defendants due to the absence of one of their lawyers, stressed the need for an expedited trial, stating, “This is a criminal case involving life. There should be no waste of time
