Seven individuals accused of murdering a final-year female student of the Kwara State College of Health Technology, Offa, have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The accused, including Happiness Adebayo, Timileyin Kolawole, Adebayo Adeniyi, Bukola Adeniyi, Adeoye Adeola, Lawal Aminat, and Peter Bulus, faced six counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, disappearance, and destruction of evidence.
The prosecution alleged that Happiness Adebayo and Timileyin Kolawole conspired to cause the death of Mojisola Awesu on August 9, 2024. Happiness’ parents, Adebayo Adeniyi and Bukola Adeniyi, were accused of conspiring to cause the disappearance and destruction of evidence. The trio hotel workers, Adeoye Adeola, Lawal Aminat, and Peter Bulus, were accused of conspiring and dumping the corpse of Mojisola at a dump along Warah road, Ilorin.
During the court hearing, the Kwara State Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Ayoola Akande, expressed readiness to proceed with the trial. However, the defense counsel argued that they were unprepared for the hearing due to the adjournment for arraignment. Justice Ibrahim Yusuf ordered the defendants to be remanded in a correctional facility and adjourned the case until March 12, 2025, for hearing.
Pleading not guilty shifts the burden of proof to the prosecution, which must prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The trial’s expediency is crucial, as emphasized by Justice Yusuf, given the gravity of the case involving life.
The case highlights the importance of ensuring justice for victims of crime and their families. The prosecution must present compelling evidence to prove the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt.
The judiciary plays a critical role in ensuring that justice is served. The judge’s decision to adjourn the case until March 12, 2025, for hearing demonstrates the commitment to a fair and expeditious trial.
The case of the seven suspects accused of murdering a Kwara student is a complex and sensitive one. The plea of not guilty by the accused has shifted the burden of proof to the prosecution. The trial’s outcome will depend on the strength of the evidence presented by the prosecution. The judiciary’s role in ensuring a fair and expeditious trial is crucial in serving justice for the victim and her family.