Nine suspects have been remanded at the Ile-Ife Nigerian Correctional Service by an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court in Osun for allegedly beating an undergraduate, Okoli Ahize, to death.
The deceased was alleged to have stolen a mobile phone in Awolowo hall of residence on campus, DAILY GIST reports.
The Police prosecutor, Asp Emmanuel Abdullahi, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on April 10 around 8:00 pm at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.
He gave the names of the suspects as Badiora Timilehin, 22; Adegoke Francis, 23; Atilade Adeniyi, 22; Adeyeni Ajibola, 22; Olayiwola Adewumi, 21; Adisa Olamilekan, 24; Igbinyemi Amos, 22; Osode Joshua, 23 and Philip Kayode, 24.
The prosecutor said the defendants conspired among themselves to commit the offence which contravened Sections 319 and 324 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.
He told the court that the defendants and others now at large unlawfully beat one Okoli Ahize to death with sticks, stones, and iron rods.
The plea of the defendants were not taken on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder, though Messrs Olamide Oladunni and A.R. Abdullateef announced their appearances for the suspects.
The Magistrate, Kike Adebayo, asked the prosecutor to duplicate their case files to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.
The case was adjourned until June 9, for mention.
