Stakeholders in Gbongan town, headquarters of Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State, on Thursday, raised questions over the prolonged delay in the determination of a serious criminal case involving armed robbery and murder before the High Court of Justice, Osun State, sitting in Ile-Ife.

According to members of Gbongan Central Security Management Committee, in a statement signed by the Chairman, Chief Sarafa Odelola, Baale of oAkowide Community and the Secretary, Chief Saka Kola Owopade, Seriki-Otun Olufi of Gbonganland, the case, marked Charge No. HIF/6C/2020, is between the State and four defendants: Alani Akinpelu, Akande Akeem, Akinbiyi Noah and Adebisi Olujide.

According to the charge document dated March 16, 2020, the defendants were arraigned on four counts bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms and murder.

The prosecution alleged that on December 31, 2019, along the Ibadan/Iwo Road at Gbongan, within the Ile-Ife Judicial Division, the four defendants conspired to commit armed robbery.

Count two alleges that they were armed with guns and a cutlass and engaged officers of the Gbongan Divisional Police Headquarters in a gun battle along the same axis.

Count three alleges unlawful possession of firearms without licences, while count four alleges that the defendants murdered one Bello Tajudeen on January 1, 2019, along the Ibadan/Iwo Road at Gbongan.

Listed as exhibits in the charge sheet are a Dane gun, a locally made single-barrel gun, a Bajaj motorcycle with registration number GBN 815 QD, photographs of the deceased with negatives, and one cutlass.

Six years after the charge was filed, however, the matter has apparently remained unresolved as of 2026, raising legitimate public interest questions about the pace of criminal justice delivery.

Under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, every person charged with a criminal offence is entitled to fair hearing within a reasonable time, while also being presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Stakeholders in Gbongan where the alleged crimes happened are therefore asking: What has caused the delay? How many times has the matter been adjourned? Have prosecution witnesses been produced? Are there interlocutory applications or other legal hurdles stalling proceedings?

They also raised concerns about the effect of prolonged pendency on evidence. With the alleged incidents occurring as far back as 2019, they said delay could affect the availability and recollection of witnesses and the integrity of exhibits.

Another critical issue they mentioned is the current status of the defendants. While not asserting an intention to flee, the town asked the court and relevant authorities to clarify how attendance is being secured and whether any risk of absconding exists.

The essence of criminal proceedings, they noted, is not to keep a charge on the docket indefinitely, but to ensure that allegations are tested through evidence in accordance with law, leading to conviction where proved, or discharge where not.

The situation also spotlights the broader challenge of speedy criminal trials in Nigeria, a principle emphasised by the Administration of Criminal Justice Law and various judicial directives aimed at decongesting courts and prisons.

For now, Gbongan town and members of the public at large, are seeking clarification on the present status of HIF/6C/2020, the reasons for its prolonged pendency since March 2020, where proceedings currently stand, whether the four defendants are still regularly appearing before the court, and what concrete steps are being taken to bring the matter to a lawful conclusion without compromising either the defendants’ right to fair hearing or the interests of the alleged victim and society.

“Until the court makes a final determination, the allegations contained in the charge sheet remain mere allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a competent court of law.

Please, be informed that the case was presented for mention before the Presiding Judge in Ile-Ife today October 12 2026 and it was immediately adjourned to November 02 2026,” the statement said.