Kwara State High Court, sitting in Ilorin, has discharged and acquitted 82-year-old Chief Olowofela Oyebanji of criminal allegations related to kidnapping and murder.
The presiding judge, Umar Zikki Jubril, upheld a no-case submission filed by the defence counsel before the commencement of trial.
Oyebanji, alongside 12 others, faced charges including criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, kidnapping, and giving false information under Sections 97, 221, and 178 of the Penal Code Law, as well as Section 1 of the Special Prohibition on Kidnapping Law of Kwara State, 2010.
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A High Chief from Igbara-Odo in Ekiti State, Oyebanji has consistently denied any involvement in the criminal acts, particularly the killing of a traditional ruler, Olukoro of Koro, Oba Aremu Cole, in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Delivering the ruling on Tuesday, Justice Zikki discharged and acquitted Oyebanji, citing that his innocence had been established beyond a reasonable doubt.
According to the Nigerian Tribune, the judge stated that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against Oyebanji and the other alleged co-defendants.
Following the ruling, Oyebanji’s counsel, Dr Solomon Afolabi, expressed satisfaction and joy over the court’s decision. He praised the judge for demonstrating courage and ensuring justice in a case marked by heightened public interest and sensitivity.
“It’s a big gift at the beginning of the new legal year that my client, the ninth defendant, who has been standing trial since February 2024 for an offence he knew nothing about, eventually got justice,” Dr Afolabi said.
He further lamented the ordeal his client endured, noting, “It was just unfortunate that he had to go through this because, as you heard in the judgement, it was a case of random arrests for many of the defendants in this case.”
Another defence counsel highlighted that the ruling followed the prosecution’s closure of its case.
“The prosecution presented evidence and called five witnesses during the trial. However, after thorough examination of the evidence before the court, it was concluded that the prosecution failed to provide substantial and compelling proof against all the defendants. Consequently, they were discharged and acquitted,” the counsel added.
