GUARDIAN
An Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s court has remanded two persons, Owoseni Adefolaran and Oluwatade Olaleye, for their alleged roles in carrying out jungle justice on a woman accused of stealing tubers of yam.
The accused persons and others, now at large, allegedly brutalised the victim (names withheld), inflicted grievous bodily injury and stripped her naked, while also circulating her nude videos on various social media platforms.
The alleged offences were committed at about 6:00 a.m. on September 5, at Aduramigba Community, Afao Road, Ado Ekiti.
The accused are standing trial on a three-count charge before Chief Magistrate Bankole Oluwasanmi.
The counts bordered on conspiracy to commit felony, assault and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, contrary to, and punishable under Sections 421, 186 and 181 of the Criminal Law, Volume 1, Laws of Ekiti State 2021 respectively.
After their arraignment, the defendants’ counsel, Adefolaju Ayobioloja, urged the court to admit his clients to bail, describing the first accused as the community security man, and the second accused as secretary of the community.
Besides, he told the court that the offences are bailable, and his clients should be admitted to bail on liberal terms.
Opposing the bail application, the state counsel, Shirley Atane, said although the offences are bailable, the state has strong doubts that the accused persons would not jump bail.
According to her, judging from the circumstances of the crime, and the number of people involved, granting accused persons’ bail may deprive the victim of Justice, especially since other alleged offenders are still on the run.
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Oluwasanmi, upheld the submission of the prosecution and denied the accused persons bail.
Meanwhile, the trial could not commence as the case file was yet to be received from the police.
Consequently, the matter was adjourned to September 19, while the suspects were remanded in custody.
In her immediate reaction, wife of Ekiti State governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, condemned the jungle justice meted to the victim.
