Osun Masquerade Attack: Six Suspectes Land In Court

The State of Osun Police Command have dragged six suspects arrested in connection with an attack between Masquerade worshippers and an Islamic group, before an Osogbo Magistrate Court on Thursday.

The suspects, Fashola Esuleke, Adeosun Kola, Idowu Hakeem, Kareem Yunus, Salawu Jimoh, Alarape Sulaimon and Raimi Saheed were brought to court over the attack.

Recall that Osun Defender had earlier reported that the case between the Kamorudeen Society of Nigeria and Masquerades in Osogbo over an attack that claimed one life was stalled due to the health issue of Kayode Esuleke, a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress in Osun on Friday.

Counsel from the state ministry of justice, Moses Faremi prayed the Magistrate Asimiyu Adebayo to take charge of the case from the police prosecutor who brought the case to the court.
After his plea was granted by the Magistrate, the state counsel, however, applied for 24 hours adjournment of the matter due to the charge sheet which according to him, cannot proceed with it.
Faremi told the court that the charge sheet contained the offence of murder which is beyond the jurisdiction of the Magistrate court and assault case.

The counsel to the Kamorudeen Society of Nigeria opposed the 24 hours adjournment request by the state prosecutor saying it is “unnecessary” and a waste of time. He then begged the court to read part of the charge sheet after he and the Traditional worshippers’ counsel, Kehinde Abioye had agreed with the state prosecutor on the improper charge sheet.

The counsel to the Islamic group asked the court to maintain the present status quo of the defendants saying the 4th to 7th defendants should remain on administrative bail while the 1st to 3rd should remain in the police custody.

The counsel to the Masquerade worshippers, Abioye opposed the application and asked the court to use its discretion.

The state prosecutor, Karemi told the court, “a crime has been committed and our interest in the ministry of justice is for justice to be served.”
In his ruling, Magistrate Adebayo granted the parties’ prayer on the charge sheet on the need for proper filling and adjourned the case to Monday, 12 for proper hearing.

He, however, ordered the remand of all the six defendants in police custody.