Ogun Court Orders 60-Day Remand for Ex-OGTV Broadcaster's Alleged Killers

An Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court in Isabo, Ogun State, has mandated the detention of three individuals implicated in the homicides of Ms. Kitan Oyesiku, a former OGTV broadcaster, and her security guard, Pelumi Adetayo. The order, issued on Monday, July 6, by Chief Magistrate O.T. Odubanjo of Court 3, directs their remand for a period of 60 days. This decision followed an application presented by the police for the prosecution of Sodeinde Olajunwon Phillip, identified as the primary suspect, alongside Sobu Obafunsho and Shakirudeen Ayoola.

The Legal Officer from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Eleweran, Abeokuta, AS Abiodun, informed the court about the motion ex parte application. This application, dated and filed on July 6, was brought under Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice and Other Matters Law, Ogun State 2017, leveraging the court's inherent jurisdiction. Abiodun requested the court’s permission to remand the respondents for an initial 60-day period at the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Oba, while awaiting legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the Ogun State Ministry of Justice.

Further elaborating, Abiodun stated that a 24-paragraph affidavit, deposed to by ASP Saka from the homicide section of the State CID, supported the application. He added that 17 exhibits and a written address were also attached to the submission. The police legal officer then implored the court to approve the application, emphasizing that it was in the interest of justice.

Following the submissions, the Chief Magistrate granted the relief sought by the prosecution. Consequently, the suspects are to remain in custody pending the DPP’s advice. Ms. Oyesiku, a retired staff member of the Ogun State Television, and her guard, Adetayo, were discovered deceased in a pool of blood at her Agodo residence in June of the previous year. Upon their apprehension, the suspects reportedly confessed to killing Oyesiku, stating their intention was merely to 'teach her a lesson'.