Shasha Market Crisis: Police Arraign Seven Suspects for Alleged Arson, Murder

Seven suspects have been arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ibadan for alleged arson and murder during the Shasha market crisis.

The suspects who are Tajudeen Oladunni, aged 50; Saburi Lawal, 37 years old; Ojo Joshua, 25; Adekunle Olanrewaju, 38; Olagunju James, 24; Rasaq Yahya who is 32 years old and 20-year-old Olaide Olawuyi, were charged by the State police with six counts bordering on conspiracy, arson and murder.

The prosecution counsel, Foluke Oladosu in her address, told the court that the suspects conspired with others, who are currently at large, to commit the offence.

Oladosu said, on February 12, at about 10 a.m., at Shasha market, Ibadan, the suspects caused the death of Adeola Shakirudeen when they beat him up.

The police also alleged that the suspects caused the death of 31 others and set fire to two houses, belonging to one Adelabu Ibrahim causing him about N50 million loss.

The police further alleged that the suspects also burnt down a house, belonging to one Osuolale Akindele and destroyed property worth N20 million.

The offence, the police said, contravened the provisions of sections 6, and 316 and punishable under sections 443 and 319 and 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol.II, Laws of Oyo State 2000.

Meanwhile, the Magistrate Judge, Chief Magistrate I.O. Osho, did not take the plea of the suspects for want in jurisdiction.

She ordered the police to return the case file to the Office of the Oyo State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.



Magistrate Osho adjourned the matter until May 11, for mention and ordered that the seven men be remanded in Abolongo Correctional facility in Oyo.