Two men who can be identified as Ridwan Bello and Fatai Adeleke, have been arraigned before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged unlawful possession of a human head and other body parts of a female corpse.
Bello, 42, of Odo-Aba Street, and Adeleke, 70, whose address remains unknown, face four charges: conspiracy, possession of a human head, interference with the dead, and breach of public peace.
According to the Prosecutor, ASP Foluke Adedosu, the suspects, along with others still at large, conspired to commit the crimes.
On March 18, at about 3am in the Muslim Area of Ibadan, Bello was allegedly found in possession of a human head and dismembered body parts identified as those of the late Mrs. Adebimpe Akinbo.
“A female human head, severed limbs, dried bones, and other remains stored in bags and a paint bucket were recovered from Bello’s house,” Adedosu told the court.
Investigations revealed that Bello had allegedly exhumed Akinbo’s remains from Saint Andrews Anglican Church Cemetery in Awa-Ijebu, Ogun State, for ritual purposes.
Adeleke is accused of knowingly purchasing the human parts from Bello for similar purposes.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the prosecutor added that their actions disrupted public peace and violated Sections 242 (1)(b), 249 (d), 329A, and 516 of the Oyo State Criminal Code Laws, 2000.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty. Magistrate A.T. Oyediji granted them bail at N500,000 each, with two sureties in like sum.
However, the case was adjourned until May 8 for further hearing.