Alleged kingpin of kidnap syndicate responsible for the killing of the Olukoro of Koro, Brigadier General Olusegun Aremu-Cole, Pa Banji Olowofela has been arraigned in a Magistrate Court by the Kwara State police command.
Octogenarian Olowofela was arraigned with 12 other suspects after he was arrested February 5, 2024, following a tip off by a arrested member of the syndicate around Ijowa Ekiti, in Ajoni Locall Council Development Area (LCDA), of Ekiti State.
The Olukoro, was gunned down in his palace after an abortive attempt to kidnap him while his wife and other two natives were abducted in the operation.
The swift reaction of the Kwara State Police Command and other security personnel, led to the arraignment of Olowofela alongside Adefalolu Ayodele, Tewasi Francis, Babatunde Samuel, Miracle Solomon, Godwin Joseph and Issa Number.
Other suspects are: Abraham Kehinde, Muhammed Bello, Muhammed Muhammed, Ahmadu Umaru and Muhammed Dankai.
The 13 suspects were charged with the alleged murder of the Olukoro of Koro.
The Magistrate, Mrs Monisola Kamson, adjourned that the suspects be remanded at a Federal Correctional Service facility in Ilorin, the state capital.
The charges against them were criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, kidnapping and giving false information.
The offences are contrary and punishable under Sections 97, 221 and 178 of the Penal Code Law of Kwara State, Nigeria and Section (1) Special Prohibition Kidnapping Law of Kwara State 2010.
The police charge sheet stated: “The suspects pointed a gun at him, ordering him to follow them when he challenged them after noticing their movement around his grandson.
“He said his grandson escaped through the backdoor while the suspects proceeded to kill the monarch, kidnapped his wife and one Mercy,” the FIR quoted Adeyemi as saying.
Abdullah Sanni who leads the prosecution on behalf of the police urged the Court to remand the suspects.
The case has been adjourned till March 5, 2024 for further hearing.
