My Son Was Murdered Two Semesters To Graduation – Father Told Court

Sonibare Oladiran, the father of a 400-Level student of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Timileyin Sonibare who was murdered and mutilated for ritual purpose has told an Osun State High Court that his son was murdered when he was just less than two semesters away from graduation.

He spoke while giving evidence during the trial of the five suspects in the matter, AbdulRafiu Zakariyau, Yusuf Kareem, Ayuba Ibraheem, Ishaq Yusuf and AbdulKareem Adeoti which resumed before Justice Kudirat Akano on Monday.

Timileyin was murdered last year June, 2017 around Oke Baale area of Osogbo.

The deceased father, in an emotion laden voice told the court that the death of his son was a great loss, as the life of his son was cut short at a time his family was expecting to celebrate his success in the university.

During the hearing, the court had to first determine whether the first accused, 22 years-old AbdulRafiu Zakariyau who had pleaded guilty to murder should be summarily tried or tried alongside other accused who pleaded not guilty.

Having held that the first accused should also face proper trial, the prosecution, led by the Attorney-General of the state, Ajibola Bashiru opened its case by calling four witnesses.

The first witness, Segun Akinloye, who is the victim’s cousin told the court how Timileyin went missing on the 26th of June, 2017 and how a number found on his mobile phone led them to AbdulRafiu Zakariyau, who later told the police that himself and one Yaya  Toyin killed and cut off the head and wrist of the victim for ritual purpose.

A police officer, Sergeant Adelakun Najeem told the court that apart from admitting the crime, the first accused also led them to an uncompleted building near his house where the decomposing body of Timileyin was found.

A pestle, live tortoise and a clay pot, where the burnt head of the victim was kept were tendered and admitted in court as exhibits.

More prosecution witnesses and exhibits are expected in court on the next hearing date, January 29 when the case has been adjourned to.