OPC Chief Held Over Murder

Operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad at Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos Island, southwest Nigeria, have arrested and arraigned an Idiaraba-based O’odua Peoples Congress, OPC, leader identified as Lateef Akinpelu, a.k.a. Obey, before an Igbosere Magistrate’s court on a three-count charge of murder and unlawful possession of pump action gun.

Police investigations revealed that the accused was arrested by a team led by Inspector Banjoko Oluwemimo after two years of manhunt over the murder of a victim.

The police prosecutor, Supol Jayeola Oloruntoba, told the court that the accused and others (now in prison custody) on 26 June, 2010 at Mushin in the Lagos Magisterial District killed Wasiu Ajose and set him ablaze.

The offences they committed are said to be contrary to Sections 231 and 221 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011 and 27(b), (1) of the Fire Arms Act laws of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.

Oloruntoba presented an application for the remand of the defendants in prison custody pending the advice of Director of Public Defendant, DPP under Section 264(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State.

The presiding magistrate, Mrs. Oshodi Makanju, ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison custody pending DPP’s advice.

She adjourned the matter till 5 September, 2012 for mention.