Seven individuals accused of the murder of Mojisola Awesu, a final-year student of Kwara State College of Health Technology, Offa, have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
During Tuesday’s court session at the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin, presided over by Justice Ibrahim Yusuf, the suspects were formally arraigned. At the last hearing, the judge had ordered their remand in a correctional facility due to the absence of their legal counsel.
At the latest proceedings, the prosecution, led by the State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Idowu Ayoola Akande, requested that the hearing commence following the defendants’ plea. However, the defense argued that they were unprepared, stating that the previous adjournment was for arraignment, not a full hearing. In response, Justice Yusuf adjourned the case to March 12, 2025, for hearing.
Happiness Adebayo and Timileyin Kolawole are the primary suspects, accused of conspiring to murder Mojisola Awesu on August 9, 2024. According to reports, the deceased was allegedly lured to Ilorin by the duo before being killed and her body discarded at a dumpsite in Warah community, Ilorin.
Additionally, Happiness Adebayo’s parents, Adebayo Adeniyi and Bukola Adeniyi, are accused of conspiring to conceal and destroy evidence, an offense punishable under the Kwara State Penal Code Law of 2006.
Meanwhile, three other suspects—Adeoye Adeola, Lawal Aminat, and Peter Bulus—are facing charges for allegedly conspiring to dispose of Awesu’s remains at a dumpsite along Warah Road, Ilorin, in violation of the Kwara State Prohibition of Dealing in Human Parts Law, 2018.
