Three Remanded Over Ibadan Explosion

Three people (a woman and two men) have been remanded in police custody over the recent explosions that rocked the city on January 16.

The suspects, a woman, Ramatu Camara, 47; Ganiu Malik, 20; and Abubakar Samasa, 64, were remanded by a Federal High Court in Ibadan yesterday.

They were charged with conspiracy, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, stockpiling of radioactive materials, and dispersal of biological weapons.

Although they pleaded not guilty to the charge, Justice E.U. Akpan ordered that they be remanded in the Agodi correctional centre.

Akpan then adjourned the suit until April 11 for a hearing on their bail applications.

The police prosecutor, Mr. Michael Ojeah, had earlier told the court that Camara, Malik, and Samasa were facing a five-count charge.

Ojeah further added that the defendants and others at large committed the crime at about 7.30 p.m. on Jan. 16, at Aderinola of Dejo-Oyelese Street, Adeyi Avenue, Old Bodija Ibadan, Oyo State.

The defendants, according to the prosecutor, stored radioactive materials inside a building, which exploded and led to the deaths of a 65-year-old woman known as Bolanle Badmus and 13 others.

He subsequently informed the court that he was prepared to present his case.

However, the defence counsel, Mr Adeola Adebayo, prayed to the court for a short adjournment to file some applications.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened the provisions of sections 26, 42 (A) and (B), 43(1) (A), and (2) (C) 1 (A) 58 (1) (A) of the Terrorism, Prohibition, and Prevention Act 2022.