Seven suspects were arraigned before a Kwara State High Court on Monday over the alleged murder of Mojisola Awesu, a final-year student of the College of Health Technology, Offa, in Offa Local Government Area.
The court ordered the suspects to be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case to February 24, 2025. Justice Ibrahim Yusuf postponed the proceedings due to the absence of legal representation for the two principal suspects, Happiness Adebayo and Timilehin Kolawole, who are accused of conspiring to kill Awesu on August 9, 2024.
Other defendants include Adebayo Adeniyi and Bukola Adeniyi, parents of Happiness Adebayo, along with Adeoye Adeola, Lawal Aminat, and Peter Bulus, employees of the hotel where the alleged murder took place.
The suspects face six charges, including conspiracy, murder, evidence tampering, and disposing of the victim’s body. The prosecution stated that their actions violate Sections 97, 221, and 167 of the Penal Code CAP P4, Laws of Kwara State, as well as the Prohibition of Dealing in Human Parts Law of 2018.
During Monday’s proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ayoola Akande, led the prosecution alongside five other lawyers. Barristers F.A. Ahmed and A.I. Orisankoko represented the parents and hotel workers. However, the court could not take the defendants’ pleas due to the lack of legal representation for the two principal suspects.
As a result, the judge ordered that Happiness Adebayo and Timilehin Kolawole be remanded in a correctional facility, adjourning the case for proper arraignment.
Reports indicate that Awesu was allegedly lured to Ilorin by Adebayo and Kolawole before being murdered. Her body was later found at a dump site in the Warah community.
Happiness Adebayo, along with his parents, faces additional charges of evidence destruction under the Kwara State Penal Code Law of 2006. Meanwhile, Adeoye Adeola, Lawal Aminat, and Peter Bulus are accused of conspiring to dispose of the victim’s body along Warah Road in Ilorin.
