Five Remanded Over Alleged Ritual Attack On Osun Teenager
Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, has ordered the remand of five individuals standing trial over an alleged ritual attack on a 16-year-old boy in Ikire.
The suspects were brought before the court following investigations into an incident involving Farouq Abdulahi Taiwo, a primary six pupil who reportedly survived an attempt on his life.
Those arraigned were: Awotunde Saudat, Muyideen Olutoki, Fatai Abiodun, Usman Ademola and Ismaila Abiodun, all accused of conspiracy and attempted murder.
At the hearing, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them by the police.
Presiding judge, Ayilara, however, directed that the accused persons be taken into custody and remanded at the Ilesa Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
Court documents indicated that the case has now been transferred to the Chief Magistrate Court in Ikire and is listed under charge number MOS/SSA CID/15c/2025.
According to the charge sheet, “the defendants allegedly conspired on July 25, 2025, at the Ako area of Awotedo to commit felony, namely murder, contrary to Section 324 of the Criminal Code of Osun State.”
A second count alleges that “the accused attempted to unlawfully kill Farouq Abdulahi Taiwo by attacking him with a cutlass and attempting to remove his internal organs for ritual purposes, an offence punishable under Section 320 of the same law.”
When the matter came up before Magistrate M. A. Ojo at Ikire on Thursday, January 15, proceedings were adjourned to January 21 to allow the defence to file a bail application.
Counsel to one of the defendants, Chief Abimbola Ige, informed the court that an application for bail would be formally presented on the adjourned date.
Reacting to the development, a family representative of the victim, Alhaji Musbaudeen Daud, expressed concern over the frequency of similar incidents in the area.
He urged the Osun State Government to ensure that justice is served.
“We want the intervention of the government on this issue so that the matter will not be swept under the carpet.”
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
