Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State, has ordered the remand of one Babatunde Ogini for the alleged murder of All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Ebenezer Akinola, during the 2023 General Election.
The late Akinola was reportedly killed in front of his father’s house in the Araromi Irojo area of Ilesa in March 2023, prompting the then Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, to call for the arrest of those responsible.
On Tuesday, Ogini was arraigned by counsel to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to the charge, Ogini and others, still at large, conspired to kill Akinola on March 17, 2023, at Ilesa East, Osun State, contrary to Sections 316, 319(1), and 324 of the Criminal Code. The defendant was also alleged to have been in possession of a pump-action rifle.
Ogini, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The IGP prosecutor, Mrs. Bola Adaraloye, requested that the accused be remanded, noting her intention to amend the charge before the next hearing.
Defence counsel, Barrister Abimbola Ige, informed the court that a formal bail application dated July 25, 2023, had already been filed and served on the prosecution.
Justice Ajayi declined to entertain the bail issue and ordered that Ogini be remanded at the Correctional Facility until October 14, 2025, when the case will come up for hearing.