Strange But True: In Osun, Two Prisons Reject Armed Robbery Suspect
A 50-year-old armed robbery suspect, Solomon Michael, was rejected by both Ilesa and Ife Correctional Centres after a Magistrate Court, sitting in Ede, Osun State, ordered that he and his gang members be remanded in prison.
Michael, alongside three other accused persons, Sunday Emeka (40), Sunday Felix (45) and Ebere Nwoye (32) were arraigned before the court on August 24, 2024 on fifteen count charges bordering on armed robbery, conspiracy and possession of dangerous weapons.
They committed the offence on May 29, 2024 at about 2:00 am at Ede.
OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the Magistrate ordered that Michael be kept in Police custody after he was rejected by the two correctional centres in the state due to his condition. The medium learnt that he became paralysed after he was involved in a motorbike accident during one of his operations.
A police source at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) told OSUN DEFENDER that the family of the suspect has abandoned him since he was arrested and the police have been feeding him.
“We first took him and other members of his gang to Ilesa prison in July 2024 but he was rejected while three others were remanded in the prison. He was also rejected at Ife prison because of his condition. In August 2024, the court ordered that he should be kept in our custody. It has been over a year now, the police have been feeding him. His family members have abandoned him. He was not admitted to the Correctional centres because of his condition. He was once involved in an accident and couldn’t walk since then.
“The prisons said they cannot admit him because he won’t be able to go to the bathroom himself. They claimed that he would be a burden on them. The prison clinic does not have the necessary facility to take care of him. He has become a cell lord. He now charges new suspects in cell and uses the money to eat. The court is also on strike, we cannot take him to court to continue his trial,” the police source stated.
Reacting to the case, the Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Osun Command, ASC Joel Oyedokun told OSUN DEFENDER that he is not aware of the matter while promising to investigate it.
He said: “Honestly yours, I am not aware of this but I will investigate and confirm.”
Earlier, Michael and the trio armed themselves with dangerous weapons and robbed residents and students of Federal Polytechnics, Ede. The victims include, Oyedokun Samad Ayomide, Adeyemi Olanrewaju Isaac, Adefemi Kehinde Solomon, Adeyemi Taiwo Peter, Owoseni Sodiq Timileyin and Yusuff Abdulrahman.
Others are Okunola Taiwo Muliu, Ali Timothy, Alih Monday Segun, Muritala Roqeeb Tunde, Azeez I. Olukayode, Adeseye Olamide, Olayinka Olamide Ibrahim and Adebayo Pius Oluwabukunmi. Oluwabukunmi was shot on his leg during the operation.
Exhibits recovered from the suspects include: mobile phones, TVS Lady bikes, Power banks, vehicles, cash, laptops, shoes and clothes, among others.
Yusuf Oketola is a trained journalist with over five years of experience in the media industry. He has worked for both print and online medium. He is a thorough-bred professional with an eye of hindsight on issues bothering on social justice, purposeful leadership, and a society where the leaders charge and work for the prosperity of the people.
