AKURE, Ondo State – An Ondo State Magistrates Court has ordered the remand of a commercial motorcycle operator, Blessing Akinmade, for the alleged murder of a 71-year-old farmer, Toyo Olanipekun.
Akinmade was arrested by the state police command for the incident that occurred on June 24, 2024, in the Igbobini community of Ese-Odo Local Government Area. The defendant is accused of killing Olanipekun and burying his body in a shallow grave during a dispute between the Igbobini and Irele communities over a piece of land.
The police prosecutor, Abdulateef Sulaiman, informed the court that Akinmade has been charged with conspiracy and murder, offenses that contravene Sections 324, 316, and 319 of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State.
The defendant’s plea was not taken during the court session. Sulaiman requested that Akinmade be remanded in a correctional facility pending the issuance of legal advice from the state’s Director of Public Prosecutions.
The defense counsel, H. Orisatimehin, asked the court to adjourn the case to allow his client to respond to the prosecution’s application. Magistrate Temilola Olusola-Olujobi adjourned the matter to July 8, 2024, and ordered the defendant to be held at a police station until the next hearing.
