Traditional Ruler, 3 Others Arraigned for Burying Policeman Alive

Ladipo Sanusi/

A traditional ruler in Lagos, who allegedly buried a police officer alive, has been remanded in prison.

Sixty-one-year-old Olusegun Oyiri, who is the Baale of Osoroko community in Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos, was arraigned for the death of the police inspector at the Ebute Metta Magistrate’s Court along with three other suspects today.

The inspector, who was declared missing by police authorities last November, was allegedly buried alive on the order of the Baale.

Oyiri and three alleged accomplices, Akeem Balogun, 51; Aroki Badiru, 66 and Nasiru Shakiru, 59 appeared before the Court.

The four accused persons allegedly conspired among themselves and unlawfully killed Police Inspector Sunday Musa and buried him in a shallow grave on November 29, 2016 at Osokoro community.

They also allegedly stole his AK-47 service rifle, two magazines and 30 rounds of 7.62 live ammunition.

The court presided over by Magistate A. O. Salawu (Mrs.) ordered the four defendants to be remanded in prison’s custody following a remand application brought before the court by Mr. Emmanuel Eze from State Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department (SCIID).

In urging the court to remand the four defendants, Eze told the court that the application was pursuant to section 264(1) and (2) of Administration of Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

The plea of the accused persons were not taken.

However, lawyer to Oyiri, Mr. O. Ajanaku, urged the court to admit him to bail due to his status as community head. He also told the court the baale never participated in the killing of the policeman.

He added that the accused was on administrative bail and was only invited for further questioning before he was brought to court.

The presiding magistrate declined the request and adjourned until August 31 for ruling in the bail application.

She also fixed September 21 for further proceedings in the matter pending legal advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions.

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