How Armed Robbery Suspect Died In Osun Police Net 17 Months After Arrest
A 50-year-old armed robbery suspect, Solomon Michael, has reportedly died in police custody.
Michael died 17 months after his arrest, OSUN DEFENDER gathered.
The deceased was arrested alongside three other suspects on May 29, 2024, at about 2:00 am in Ede for allegedly robbing residents of the community.
Other suspects are Sunday Emeka (40), Sunday Felix (45) and Ebere Nwoye (32).
They were arraigned before a Magistrate Court, sitting in Ede on August 24, 2024 on 15 count charges bordering on armed robbery, conspiracy and possession of dangerous weapons.
OSUN DEFENDER learnt that while three other gang members were remanded in the Correctional Centres, Micheal was rejected by both Ilesa and Ile-Ife correctional centres due to his deteriorating health condition.
He was said to have suffered a fracture which paralysed his body after he was involved in a motorbike accident during one of his robbery operations.
The medium gathered that the Magistrate ordered that Michael be kept in custody of the Osun State Police Command after he was rejected.
It was further gathered that the family of the suspect had abandoned him since he was arrested.
“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 Ile-Ife correctional facility 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.
“He eventually gave up the ghost early this year and his remains has been deposited at the morgue. His family has refused to show up,” a police source stated.
The Osun Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, is yet to respond to an inquiry by OSUN DEFENDER at the time of filing this report.
Michael and the trio had 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.
