Court tells Oyo monarch, others to answer murder, land grabbing charges

Justice Kareem Adedokun of an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, yesterday said the Oloko of Oko in Surulere Local Council of Oyo State, Oba Solomon Akintola and 14 others have cases to answer in a case of attempted murder and land grabbing against them.

In his ruling, Adedokun dismissed the application on no case submission filed by the defendants.

The judge said the no case submission application lacks merit.

He said: “The prosecution has been able to establish various facts through different witnesses who were the victims in the matter.

“Also, the witnesses were able to identify all the defendants as perpetrators of the offences.

Therefore, the no case submission filed by the defence counsel has no merit and the same is dismissed.”

He consequently adjourned the suit to April 14, for the defence to open their case.

The defence counsel, Mr L.A. Hammed had prayed the court to declare that his clients have no case to answer because the prosecution had proven no case against them.

14 others standing trial alongside Akinola include; Chief Sunday Aderinto, Chief Jimoh Asimiyu, Timothy Aderinto, Matthew Akintaro, Rafiu Ganiu and Adejare Adeleru.

Other are Samson Ogunmola Zachiaus Adeleru, Kamorudeen Ajibade, Raji Rasaq, Mutiu Arowosaye, Oyeyemi Oyelekan Olusegun Oyelekan and Sheriff Adio.

The defendants have pleaded not guilty to a 27-count charge bordering on alleged attempted murder, assault, robbery, stealing and land grabbing.