NURTW Boss, 10 Others Charged With Murder

The chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Abeokuta chapter, Hakeem Bodunmi and 10 others have been arraigned before an Ogun State High Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta.

They were charged with conspiracy and killing of three transporters, Musiliu Egbejobi a.k.a. Asela, Tajudeen Ogunbayo and Fatai Lugbosho.

The other ten persons arraigned alongside the NURTW boss are Taoreed Afuape, Nureni Onijoko, Taofeek Kilani, Akeem Adisa, Owolabi Jibulu, Adelanwa Kabiru, Olorunwa Bello, Ibrahim Bamgbola, Toyin Fadipe and Saheed Oke.

The accused persons were said to have invaded the popular Kuto Park, Abeokuta, under the cover of darkness around 4am on 29 July,2008 where in a surprise attack, allegedly murdered Egbejobi [Asela], Ogunbayo and Lugboso, who were passing the night at the park.

When the case was mentioned before Justice Tayo Lamina, only four of the accused persons were present. They are Taoreed Afuape, Nureni Onijoko, Taofeek Kilani and Saheed Oke.

They pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge preferred against them.

The State Deputy Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. James Omotosho, told the court that several attempts were made to serve the NURTW boss, Abeokuta chapter the court summons in respect of the alleged offence but added that such moves were resisted by the accused.

He asked the court for an adjournment to enable him exhaust all avenues to reach Hakeem Bodurin and also make him appear in court on the next adjourned date, assuring that should Bodurin fail again to show up in court, his sureties would be made to appear in court in lieu of the accused person.

The counsel to the accused persons, Mr. Akin Adubi, made an oral application for bail in respect of Taoreed Afuape, on health ground. But his application was rejected by the court.

Justice Lamina said there was no way the court could ascertain whether Afuape was faking ailment or not hence the need for the application to be made formally in writing with necessary documents attached to back up whatever claims regarding the health of the accused.

With the consent of state prosecution, Omotosho and counsel to the four of the accused persons present in court, the case was adjourned till 20 September, 2011 for further mention.

—Biodun Onafuye/Abeokuta