On April 10, 2023, a 25-year-old driver, Temitope Olorunfemi, was lynched by a mob in Akure, Ondo State. He was allegedly driving in an accident that left one person dead and six others injured. He was also accused of being an internet fraudster. The Ondo State Police Command has now arraigned five persons in connection with the incident. They are Victor Amos, Ismalia, Pelumi Farotimi, Nurudeen Kumuyi, and Samuel Olatunji,
The accused were charged with three counts of felony, unlawful murder, and arson. According to the prosecution, the accused persons and others at large committed the offence. They murdered the deceased with sticks, stones, and other offensive weapons. They also set ablaze a Toyota Camry car with number plate KRD 627 GY.
At the Akure Chief Magistrate Court, the defendants were not allowed to enter a plea due to the court’s lack of jurisdiction. The prosecutor applied for the defendants to be remanded at the Olokuta Correctional Centre until advice is received from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The court granted the request and adjourned the case until April 27 for a reply to the affidavit and ruling. The accused will remain in police custody until then.
We hope this serves as a caution to the general public regarding the dangers of mob justice and the importance of allowing the legal system to take its course.
