adminInspector Usang Otu, a prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of three individuals associated with the unlawful society group ‘IBILE’ (cult group), recounted his investigative efforts before the Lagos State High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square.
The case revolves around the alleged murder of Owolabi Ajibola.
During his testimony on Monday, Otu revealed that the father of the deceased, Baale Idowu, was the one who reported the case of conspiracy and murder.
Otu is attached to the Rapid Response Squad at Tolu Divisional Police Headquarters in Olodi Apapa, Lagos.
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The defendants in question, identified as Jemilu Adamu, Babatunde Gbenga, and Jimoh Idris, stand accused of conspiracy, belonging to an unlawful society, and murder, as charged by the Lagos State Government.
Otu explained that, as part of his investigation, the deceased’s father had asserted that the first defendant and his associates were members of the ‘IBILE’ society.
According to the father’s account, on April 22, 2018, the deceased encountered the group while returning from work.
A confrontation escalated into a fight, during which they pursued and overpowered him, ultimately stabbing him in the chest.
Following this revelation, Otu arrested the first defendant. He testified, “The first defendant confessed to belonging to a group called Ibile Boys during interrogation.
He revealed that on the day of the incident, he and his group, numbering 23, were returning from a place called Rita’s joint when they had a clash with the deceased.
In the ensuing scuffle, Alome produced a knife, and another member, Adejo, took the knife and stabbed the deceased in the chest.”
The deceased’s family opted not to conduct an autopsy, and he was buried according to Muslim rites.
Subsequently, the case file and defendants were transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba.
Under cross-examination, Otu clarified that he was not present at the station when the deceased’s father initially reported the case, and he was not responsible for arresting the second and third defendants.
Justice Adesanya adjourned the trial to November 1 and 2, 2023. The defendants were arraigned before Justice Yetunde Adesanya on June 1, 2023.
The charges allege that the trio unlawfully killed Ajibola and were associated with the ‘IBILE’ fraternity group, constituting an unlawful society, in violation of Sections 223 and 42 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.
